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Strictly Come Dancing: Craig, Shirley and Motsi on receiving death threats

Shirley was sent a picture of herself digging her own grave

The Strictly Come Dancing judges have revealed that they received death threats after deciding to send Dev Griffin home from the competition.

Opening up to Jonathan Ross on his chat show, Craig Revel-Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas detailed the abuse they received from online trolls.

And, for Shirley, that included someone posting a picture of her digging her own grave with the caption: “Die [bleep].”

Bruno and Craig road trip
The Strictly judges have opened up about the trolling they’ve been subjected to (Credit: BBC)

She said: “Somebody put a picture with my face on it digging my own grave.”

“I always think of it as a comic strip,” said Craig. “I never really think of it as anything. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, of course.”

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He added: “I’m very opinionated. These people who are writing stuff online, I think, need to sometimes be [makes a zip sign across his mouth].”

Somebody put a picture with my face on it digging my own grave.

Motsi added: “I get so upset – well angry – then I write everything down, I answer them, then I go to my husband and I put on my angry voice and [read my response]. Then he’s like, ‘Okay darling, do you feel better?’ and I’m like, ‘Yes’. He says, ‘So delete it’ so it never gets out but I’ve got it out of the system.”

Newcomer Motsi also opened up about the criticism she received when she joined the show – and would therefore be judging her sister Oti, who is partnered with Kelvin Fletcher this year.

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“I was her first teacher, she is used to me telling her what to do,” Motsi said.

“I concentrate on Kelvin. He was somebody that surprised us this year and when he is dancing, I’m just looking at that,” she revealed.

Dance veteran Shirley also told Jonathan that she’s due to go under the knife next week, but isn’t planning on taking any time off work.

The judges came under fire after deciding to send Dev and his partner Dianne Buswell home (Credit: BBC)

She will be having her breast implants removed after cancer scares in her family.

“I’ve decided to do it Tuesday,” Shirley said. “I’m hoping to be back at work on Saturday, all being well.”

The star will have the full support of her boyfriend Danny Taylor, who she’s been with for eight months. Shirley said: “From being single for six years, I just never thought I would meet somebody as lovely as him.”

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Nancy Brown
Associate Editor