An obsessed fan has admitted to stalking a Strictly Come Dancing judge for six years, a court heard.
Kyle Shaw, 37, pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to stalking Shirley Ballas, 64, between August 31, 2017, and November 29, 2023.
The court heard he made continued unwanted attempts to contact Ballas, posted on social media about the star, including uploading an image of her house on social media, attempted to contact her family, friends and work colleagues, monitored her online and TV presence and made arrangements to attend her book tour.
His conduct was said to have left Shirley, who has been head judge on the BBC show since 2017, 'seriously alarmed and distressed' and unable to continue her usual day-to-day activities.
She was also forced to relocate her mother to a different property and made different arrangements surrounding her social and work life.
It comes months after Shirley phoned the police when an alleged stalker 'lunged at her and took photos of her house and car'. It isn't known if the incident was linked to Shaw.
Shirley previously revealed on the Mirror's Invite Only podcast that she was far more 'vigilant' after Gavin Plumb was convicted over his attempts to kidnap TV presenter Holly Willoughby.
The 37-year-old from Wirral also admitted possession of cannabis, but has been given conditional bail ahead of a sentencing hearing on April 1.
Kyle Shaw, 37, pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to stalking Ballas, 64, between August 31, 2017, and November 29, 2023
His conduct was said to have left Shirley 'seriously alarmed and distressed' and unable to continue her usual day-to-day activities
Kyle Shaw (left) arriving at Liverpool Crown Court, where he is charged with stalking Strictly judge Shirley Ballas by sending her online messages
She said: 'There was one particular person who was kind of stalking me. That is under investigation at the moment, as we speak.
'I know his computer and phone, everything has been confiscated. He was taking pictures of my house, he had my house, he had my car. So, yes, there have been times when I have been fearful.
'I meet people and they really, the majority of people are fantastic, but then once or twice you'll, they lunge.... this one particular person will lunge at me, and he really feels he knows me. He feels he knows me. But he only knows me from the TV. Or from following me on social media. And that's quite alarming.
'So, you know, I always have George, the guy who's driven me for the last five years, get out of the car first, always scanning.
'I wouldn't say it's the healthiest thing. You know, I like to be kind of like a free bird, but we're coming into times now where you have to be more vigilant of yourself.'
Shirley's scary ordeal comes just as Gavin Plumb was convicted over his attempts to kidnap former This Morning host, Holly Willoughby.
Shirley told how she has changed how she is much more aware of her safety ever since Holly's ordeal was made public.
Shirley was said to be 'alarmed and distressed' and unable to go about her usual daily life due to the ordeal
Shirley Ballas was seen being embraced by colleague Nikita Kuzmin and was 'visibly emotional' according to a bystander
Shirley told how she has changed how she is much more aware of her safety ever since Holly's ordeal was made public.
She said: 'I am a very vigilant person. When I go out, I'm careful not to go alone. If it's at night, I'm always a little bit nervous.
'There's what you read on social media, (and then) particularly with Holly - her experiences.'
She added: 'So, yeah, I don't take anything lightly. There are many amazing people, but there are a few strange people out there. It's quite hard, and makes you always a little bit more precautious.'
She also thanked the BBC's 'fantastic' duty of care dubbing it as being 'one thousand percent'.
The dancer had a successful Latin dance career before joining the Strictly Come Dancing panel in 2017 as she replaced head judge Len Goodman.
Away from the ballroom and Latin dance floor, the mother of one has also had a busy romantic life with two ex-husbands and a former fiancé.
During an appearance on Jennie Becker's Sliding Doors podcast, Shirley revealed the moment her career took off, but explained she had to put marriage and kids on hold.
