Kyle Shaw, 37, appeared before a judge in Liverpool today after being accused of causing serious distress to the BBC star between 2017 and 2023

A man has pled guilty to stalking Strictly judge Shirley Ballas.

Kyle Shaw, 37, pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to stalking Ballas, 64, between August 31 2017 and November 29 2023. He also admitted possession of a quantity of cannabis.

The defendant, of Whetstone Lane in Birkenhead, Wirral, was given conditional bail ahead of a sentencing hearing due to take place on April 1. Ballas, originally from Wallasey, Wirral, has been head judge on the BBC show since 2017.

Shaw had been given bail with conditions including not to enter London and not to contact Ballas or her partner. A provisional trial date had been set for January 12 next year, with the case expected to last five days. Judge Robert Trevor-Jones adjourned the case for a hearing today.

Kyle Shaw arriving at court today ( 
Image:
PA)

Shirley previously referred to her stalking hell ( 
Image:
PA Wire)

The Strictly Come Dancing judge referred to the alleged stalking on The Mirror’s Invite Only podcast, during which she admitted that it had left her fearful. She went on to explain that it has made her very “vigilant” and said: “I always have George, the guy who’s driven me for the last five years, get out of the car first, always scanning. I wouldn’t say it’s the healthiest thing. You know, I like to be kind of like a free bird, but we’re coming into times now where you have to be more vigilant of yourself. I am a very vigilant person. When I go out, I’m careful not to go alone.

During the chat, Shirley praised the BBC for the support and revealed the message she sends her mum every single time she’s out.

“You’re upping your level of alarms. And (now) I always tell my mum: ‘I’m here, I’ve arrived’. I wouldn’t bother normally but it’s become a thing that we do. I always like to say: ‘I’m safe, I’m in the right place, I’m where I should be.’ Thankfully the BBC’s duty of care towards me has been one thousand percent, they have been fantastic,” she said.