Strictly hit with more drama as Shirley Ballas 'forced into sudden change' over backlash

Strictly Come Dancing's head judge Shirley Ballas was reportedly forced to make a last-minute change after receiving backlash

Strictly Come Dancing swiftly dealt with a complaint by making Shirley Ballas make a last-minute outfit change.

In between shows, the head judge's dress reportedly had to be plucked of its feathers after People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) asked the producers to stop using bird feathers on their costumes. In response, the producers of the BBC dance competition were quick to remove the ostrich feathers from her red gown.

PETA reportedly wrote to the show's executive producer, Sarah James, about the mistreatment of ostriches and peacocks in the fashion industry. The letter is said to have detailed what happens to the birds, which includes being 'shocked, slaughtered, and violently plucked for their plumage'.

"Shirley was shocked by the suddenness of it all and because the outfit pulled to bits was quite glamorous and expensive," a source recently claimed. "Shirley changed between the broadcast of Saturday’s live show, when she was dressed as Cher for Music Icons Week, and put on the red number for the start of recording the results show."

“There wasn’t time to change into another outfit and the whole show is run to a tight schedule." Sources claimed to The Sun that wardrobe assistants, and even Motsi Mabuse, helped remove all the feathers to fix the issue. The Mirror have reached out to her reps and the BBC for comment.

It comes after Shirley insisted she will stay on the show until she dies. The 64-year-old TV star and former professional dancer said that every year she is asked if she wants to return to the BBC show, she "jumps at the chance" and vows to do so until she is not needed anymore.

Speaking to the Daily Star Sunday, she said: "I’ve been on the show for eight years and I’ll stay on it until I pop my clogs." Shirley, who sits beside her fellow judges Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke, has been on the judging panel since 2016. She continued: "Every year, when I’m asked to come back, I have a little think and then I say, ‘Yes, thank you’. The only other reason I’d go is if they don’t want me anymore."

And the reason behind her decision to remain on the BBC show until she "pops" her "clogs" is down to the fact that every year she gets to meet new people. She added: "Every year, the show is something new and I get to meet new people. It’s family show that everybody in the country really enjoys. It sends positive messages and that’s what I love about it."

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