Shirley Ballas says she was cruelly shamed as a young dancer by a judge who commented on her “disgusting” stretch marks: “It wasn’t like it is now.”

Shirley Ballas says she was once rejected from a dance competition because an overly critical judge took exception to her stretch marks.

The 63-year-old Strictly Come Dancing head judge is a ballroom veteran and has been dubbed the “Queen of Latin”, but times have not always been easy.

On the Radio Times podcast, Shirley admitted she was heavily criticized when she returned to the dance floor six weeks after giving birth to her son Mark, her only child, in 1986.

She said: “It wasn’t like today where everyone has to walk on eggshells to tell you something.”

“I started dancing again six weeks after I was born. I was told, ‘I marked you third because I refuse to look at the stretch marks on your back.’ I think it’s disgusting.”

Old days: Shirley in an undated photo from her glory days as a professional dancer

“I just accepted it, moved on and did what I had to do – for me it was character building,” she added.

The dance teacher also admitted that a lot of “direct” criticism had an impact on her role on the BBC show – and revealed that her son had to give her “tips to act constructively and smile”.

Like Strictly Come Dance Chief Justice Shirley suffered a lot of trolling and online abuse.

And the TV favorite recently said the alleged Holly Willoughby conspiracy has made her “more cautious” than ever and scared to go out alone at night.

The dancer said that while she was now better equipped to deal with nasty comments from viewers, she was affected by the “appalling” allegations which led to Holly leaving her role on This Morning after 14 years.

“I’m still cautious, especially given what just happened with Holly Willoughby, which is devastating. “I sympathize with her. “I don’t go out alone late at night,” she told Best magazine.

High-profile Holly resigned from her post last month following allegations that mall security guard Gavin Plumb planned to kidnap and kill her.

He pleaded not guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court to three criminal charges relating to the alleged conspiracy and is in custody pending a trial in June.

Family: The strict judge admitted she was heavily criticized when she returned to the dance floor six weeks after giving birth to her son Mark (pictured), her only child, in 1986.

Fat: The dancing star revealed: “I started dancing again six weeks after my baby was born.” I was told, “I marked you third because I refuse to look at the stretch marks on your back.” I think it’s disgusting” (pictured in London earlier this month)

Effort: The dance teacher also admitted that a lot of “direct” criticism had an impact on her role on the BBC show – and revealed that her son had to give her “tips to act constructively and smile”.

Scary: Shirley said Holly Willoughby’s alleged plot has made her ‘more cautious’ than ever and is afraid to go out alone at night (pictured in June)

Terrible: Holly sensationally stepped down from her old role last month after it was claimed mall security guard Gavin Plumb planned to kidnap her (pictured in September).

Dancing icon Shirley has been competing in the BBC’s Saturday Night Dancing competition since replacing Len Goodman in 2017.

Despite being a popular part of the series, she says she is sometimes “scared to leave the house” because of the cruel trolls and death threats she has received.

Shirley’s fears are now particularly clear as her son Mark (37) was targeted when he teamed up with gymnast Shawn Johnson (31) on Dancing With The Stars – the American version of Strictly.

“I had people dragging coffins in with me and someone with a spade saying, ‘Die, you bastard’,” she said in the ITV documentary Olivia Attwood vs The Trolls.

She added: “This whole experience has made me a lot more awake. I can’t say I leave my front door unless I’m clean. I never relax. I would say it completely changed my life.”

“I’m talking about being in public. They worry about the same strange people who write such messages.

“Do they want to go to dark corners? Do they hide behind walls when you go somewhere?’

Shirley admitted that she is always awake because of the news, but also has some sympathy for those responsible.

Earlier this month, Shirley was forced to apologize this week for suggesting that women carry Tasers to protect themselves from potential attackers.

The Strictly Come Dancing judge stressed that women need to “become more vigilant” and educate themselves on how best to look after themselves if a dangerous situation arises.

Ballroom dancer Shirley said women are being forced to wear the devices which shock people with a 50,000 volt charge, unaware that they are actually illegal and only used by trained police officers in the UK, the BBC agreed that a warning is requested.

Fears: “I’m still cautious, especially given what just happened with Holly Willoughby, which is devastating.” I sympathize with her. “I don’t go out alone late at night,” she told Best magazine (pictured last month).

Appearing on BBC Radio 4’s Women’s Hour, she said: “All women in today’s society need to become more vigilant. “It’s important for people to look after themselves, maybe carry Tasers and things like that.

“My message is aimed at all women, not just women in profile. It’s about taking care of yourself and educating yourself.

“What can you do if you find yourself in a situation that surprises you and you don’t know what to do?”

Moderator Krupa Padhy said: “We must say that stun guns or tasers are prohibited weapons and possessing them is a punishable offence.”

Shirley later said: “I apologize for my comments. “I didn’t know Tasers were illegal in the UK and I in no way encourage violence.

“I wanted to send the message that women should feel empowered to protect themselves and mistakenly mentioned the use of Tasers.”

Safety: Earlier this month, Shirley was forced to apologize this week for suggesting women wear Tasers to protect themselves from potential attackers (pictured on the judging panel on this month’s Strictly Come Dancing).