Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has revealed she was sent a vile death threat while she was doing panto.
The 60-year-old TV star previously received a letter showing her digging her own grave, and was told that she was hated across Britain.
Shirley replaced former head judge Len Goodman on the BBC show back in 2017.
Strictly Come Dancing: What did Shirley Ballas say?
Opening up on the vile message, Shirley said: “More recently, a death threat was delivered by hand to where I was appearing in pantomime.
“This one showed a figure of me digging my own grave, with the message, ‘Do you realise how much you are hated?
“‘The country hates you. How did they ever give a job to someone like you, you old witch.'”
However, Shirley feels that her tough upbringing and experience of bullying, as well as the setbacks she’s survived in her professional life, have helped her to cope with the death threat.
Read more: Strictly Come Dancing: Maisie Smith reveals Scott Maslen’s advice ahead of show debut
The dancer feels she’s become “as hard as a hob-nailed boot”.
She explained: “What these people don’t realise is I come from a tough housing estate.
“I’ve spent many years being bullied in my industry.
“So I’ve developed an exterior shell as hard as a hob-nailed boot.”
During her time on Strictly, Shirley has also become a target for social media trolls.
But the dancer refuses to lash out, due to fears the trolls may be vulnerable like her brother David, who took his own life 17 years ago.
According to The Sun, Shirley wrote in her ‘Behind The Sequins’ memoir: “If I can do good for someone by reacting like this, then I feel I’m doing my bit to protect and honour his legacy.
“It’s my way of trying to create something positive out of the biggest sorrow of my life.”
Read more: Take part in our shopping survey for a chance to win a fab prize
When does Strictly Come Dancing return?
The Strictly 2020 launch show will begin on Saturday October 17 on BBC One.
Meanwhile, judge Bruno Tonioli is not expected to return, reducing the judges to just three.
The popular judge has said he will prioritise his role on the US version of Dancing with the Stars.
Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think of this story.