BBC issues urgent apology as Shirley Ballas gives warning to 'all women'

14 October 2023 , 07:56

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BBC issues urgent apology as Shirley Ballas gives warning to 'all women'

The BBC has made an apology after Shirley Ballas urged women to carry tasers to protect themselves from attack.

Strictly Come Dancing's head judge made the controversial comments during an appearance on BBC Radio 4's Women's Hour this week. Shirley, 63, said women needed to be 'more vigilant' and 'educate' themselves on what to do if a 'situation' arose.

Shirley then suggested women should carry tasers - which carry a 50,000 volt charge - without realising they are illegal in the UK. She said: "All women in today’s society should become more vigilant. It’s important that people take care of themselves, maybe carry tasers, things like that.

“My message goes out to all women, not just women in ‘profile’ it’s taking care of yourself, it’s educating yourself. What can you do if you were in a situation that happened to take hold of you, that you had no idea what to do.”

Strictly's Shirley Ballas has considered quitting the show after horrific online abuse (BBC)

Women’s Hour host Krupa Padhy was forced to issue an urgent apology at the end of the show, telling listeners: " We must say that stun guns or tasers are prohibited weapons and it is an offence to possess them.”

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Tasers are only used by trained police and are only deployed in exceptional circumstances.

Ballroom star Shirley also spoke out after realising her mistake. “I apologise for my comments. I did not know Tasers were illegal in the UK, and I do not encourage violence in any way shape or form. I wanted to get the message across that women should feel empowered to protect themselves, and incorrectly mentioned the use of Tasers." she said.

Shirley's son Mark was targeted while starring on Dancing with the Stars in America with gymnast Shawn Johnson as the series first same-sex pairing. Shirley previously told the Mirror she had considered quitting Strictly over the abuse from her trolls.

Elsewhere in her latest interview, Shirley said she had signed up to self defence classes. "I think all women in today's society should become more vigilant. I'm just about to enrol in some self defence classes, I think it's important that people take care of themselves. I shall be getting myself a lot more educated on that for sure."

Shirley's concerns come after she admitted she is constantly fearing trolls are “lurking in dark corners or hiding behind walls”. The star has faced backlash for her critiques on the BBC dance show, with some viewers taking their anger to a chilling level.

“I’ve had people draw coffins with me in it with somebody with a spade that said, ‘Die you b***h’," revealed Shirley. “It’s when it is personal about myself and my family and it affects my mental health. I am not just talking about your phone. I am talking about being in public. You worry about those same strange people that write these kinds of messages."

Lucy Needham