This Morning presenters Holly Willoughby and Josie Gibson were left red-faced when a Spin To Win caller was accidentally rude to Shirley Ballas.
The Strictly Come Dancing judge was due to appear on Wednesday’s show later in the programme.
And in order for the caller to win the bag of This Morning goodies, the viewer, who had just won £3,000, was asked: “Which Strictly judge is running later?”
He replied, “What’s her name?” Shirley B*****d.’
Josie cheered and punched the air while Holly blushed and corrected the caller: “Shirley Ballas.”
Blunder: This Morning presenters Holly Willoughby and Josie Gibson were left red-faced when a Spin To Win caller was accidentally rude to Shirley Ballas
Interview: The Strictly Come Dancing judge was due to appear on Wednesday’s show later in the programme
She added: “I think we all need to listen to this again. I’m sorry if you heard anything different there.”
Holly later apologized for the explicit remark, saying: “I think in that moment he got a little lost with his answer and he may have missed something and we’re very sorry if you heard that.” He did I didn’t mean it that way and Shirley is sorry too.’
Viewers were confused but found the mistake amusing. One wrote: “The highlight of the show was Shirley B*****d.”
Another said: “I thought he said Shirley Bassey lol.”
This comes after Shirley said vile death threats made her afraid to leave her own home – barely more than two weeks after returning to Strictly.
The professional dancer has resumed her role as a judge on the long-running BBC show after it returned for its twenty-first season on September 23rd.
But sinister social media messages aimed at 63-year-old Ballas – many of them threatening or sexual in nature – have raised concerns about her safety and made her fear that people are “lurking in dark corners or hiding behind walls.” .
In order for the caller to win the bag of This Morning goodies, the viewer, who had just won £3,000, was asked: “Which Strictly Judge is running later?”
Josie cheered and punched the air while Holly blushed and corrected the caller: “Shirley Ballas.”
Viewers were confused but found the mistake amusing. One wrote: “The highlight of the show was Shirley B*****d.”
Appearing on new show Olivia Attwood vs The Trolls, she said: “I had people dragging coffins in with me, with someone with a spade saying ‘Die, you bitch.’
“It’s when it comes to myself and my family and it affects my mental health. ‘I’m not just talking about your phone.’
She added: “I’m talking about being in public.” They worry about the same strange people who write messages like that.
“Are they lurking in dark corners? Do they hide behind walls when you go somewhere?’
Ballas admits she’s always on high alert because of the news – but also has some sympathy for those responsible.
“Sometimes I lie there at night and ask myself: Are they suffering?” Are they lonely? Is it funny for her?’ She said.
“This whole experience has made me a lot more alert.” I can’t say I’m leaving my front door if I don’t get to the point. I never relax. It’s completely changed my life, I would say.’
Concern: Shirley says vile death threats have left her afraid to leave her own home – barely more than two weeks after returning to Strictly Come Dancing
There she is: the professional dancer has resumed her role as a judge on the long-running BBC show after it returned for its twenty-first season on September 23rd
In August, Ballas recalled how she was forced to seek counseling after suffering a barrage of vile abuse during the final series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Although she returned to the series in 2023, she previously said that she even considered not coming back.
In conversation with OK! She explained in the magazine: “I’ve had bad and dark days all my life, but I’ve always had music and dancing.” And of course I have my mother and we’re joined at the hip.
“What is that? [the trolling] “That happened to me last season and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.”
The star has been receiving advice for over two decades.
She explained her attitude as follows: “I’m not embarrassed to say this now, although in the past I thought people might think I was weak.”
‘But, you know what? Sometimes counseling is just about having someone there to listen. So there’s nothing wrong with getting help.”
In an interview with The Times, the star spoke about the cruel messages she received and some users even accused her of being racist.
She explained that they included comments like, “Just how ugly you are and how fat you are and how you have terrible arms” and “You don’t like men.” You don’t like women. You don’t like black men. “You don’t like black women.”
Ballas revealed that the accusations of racism were the hardest to take, and while she may seem harsh on TV, that’s just a facade.
“It’s a facade,” she said. “Something I learned from my mother.” “Don’t complain. Keep going”.’