Shirley Ballas beamed as she headed out in Nottingham while on the Strictly Come Dancing tour – hours after her stalker appeared in court. 

Kyle Shaw, 37, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday accused of stalking the Strictly judge, 64, between August 31, 2017, and November 29, 2023, by sending her online messages. 

Brushing off the court appearance, Shirley was seen smiling as she left her H๏τel in Nottingham ahead of next instalment of the tour. 

She kept it casual in a pair of black and white sports trainers paired leggings and wrapped up warm in a cream wool double-breasted coat. 

Shaw’s conduct was reported to have left Shirley ‘seriously alarmed and distressed’ and unable to continue her usual day-to-day activities.

It comes just months after Shirley was forced to phone the police when an alleged stalker ‘lunged at her and took pH๏τos of her house and car’. It is unknown whether that incident is linked to Shaw. 

Shirley Ballas beamed as she headed out in Nottingham while on the Strictly Come Dancing tour – hours after her stalker appeared in court

Brushing off the court appearance, Shirley was seen smiling as she left her H๏τel in Nottingham ahead of next instalment of the tour

Following the terrifying ordeal in July Shirley claimed that the man’s phone and computer have now been confiscated by police as they investigate the claims.

Speaking on Mirror’s Invite Only podcast, 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.’

Shaw, who is also charged with possession of a quanтιтy of cannabis, appeared in court on Tuesday wearing a black coat over a shirt and tie. 

No pleas were entered during the hearing, which lasted a few minutes, and Shaw spoke only to confirm his name and that he understood what had been said. 

Kyle Shaw (pictured), 37, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday accused of stalking the Strictly judge, 64, between August 31, 2017, and November 29, 2023, by sending her online messages 

Shaw is pictured leaving Liverpool Crown Court on February 4 after facing charges against Shirley 

It comes just months after Shirley was forced to phone the police when an alleged stalker ‘lunged at her and took pH๏τos of her house and car’. It is unknown whether that incident is linked to Shaw 

Shaw was given bail with conditions including not to enter London and not to contact Shirley or her partner.

A provisional trial date was set for January 12, next year, with the case expected to last five days. Judge Robert Trevor-Jones adjourned the case for a hearing on February 25.

Shirley has been head judge on the BBC show since 2017.

Her ordeal comes just a few months after Gavin Plumb was convicted over his attempts to kidnap former This Morning host, Holly Willoughby.

Shirley previously 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. So, yeah, I don’t take anything lightly. 

Shirley previously told how she has changed how she is much more aware of her safety ever since Holly’s ordeal was made public

‘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.

‘You’re upping your level of alarms. And (now) I always tell my mum: “I’m here, I’ve arrived”. 

I wouldn’t bother normally but it’s become a thing that we do. I always like to say: “I’m safe, I’m in the right place, I’m where I should be.” 

‘Thankfully the BBC’s duty of care towards me has been one thousand percent, they have been fantastic.

‘So, in some of these instances, when it was difficult – this stalker came from the north of England – I had somebody that was walking me from the H๏τel to here, they checked in on me to make sure that I was ok. I just felt very well protected.’