STRICTLY’S AJ Pritchard has begged fans of the BBC One dancing show to stop sending vile death threats to Shirley Ballas.
The Head Judge has come under attack from some viewers after last week’s shock dance off, which saw BBC Radio One DJ Dev Griffin sent home.
Speaking to The Sun Online at The Global Gift Gala, AJ said viewers needed to focus on positivity.
He said: “There is no excuse for the trolling and death threats. All the abuse they have been getting is not right.
“People should just enjoy the show, it’s a great family show and focus on positivity.”
Shirley, who had been criticised for dishing out high scores to less able dancers, admitted it had been a “tough week” earlier today, as she shared a video from her home on Instagram telling fans she was unwell.
In the clip, Shirley, 59, sat in a huge leather chair with her feet up while revealing the tubes in her arm, as she captioned her video: “Very happy to receive this drip today to help me get well.
“Full of all sorts of things vitamin c magnesium b12 and the list goes on.
“Feeling under the weather today as a result of a tough week. So @revivuk will have me up and running by Saturday.”
Meanwhile AJ also spoke about how close he is getting to his 2019 dance partner, YouTube star Saffron Barker.
Speaking at the star-studded charity attended by the likes of Eva Longoria, Amanda Holden and Caroline Flack, alongside Saffron, 19, he said: “You do become very close. You train together all the time and the friendship just grows.”
As for Dev’s early departure from Strictly, the 24-year-old added: “I was shocked. Someone who was such a natural dancer has gone.
“It just shows that nobody is safe. The pressure is on now. We have to appreciate every week we are still there.”
