A man has been charged with stalking Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas, causing her “serious alarm or distress”.

Kyle Shaw, 37, appeared in court last week accused of sending online messages to the 64-year-old dancer over a six-year period between 31 August 2017 and 29 November 2023.

According to the charge, he allegedly caused the television star “serious alarm or distress, which had a substantial adverse effect on her usual day-to-day activities”.

Shaw, who is also charged with possession of a small amount of cannabis, did not enter pleas when he appeared at South Sefton Magistrates’ Court last Friday.

A court official said the case was sent to Liverpool Crown Court, where he is expected to appear on 31 January.

Shaw, of Birkenhead in Wirral, Merseyside, was released on conditional bail, including a ban on him contacting two named individuals directly or indirectly, including by social media.

Ballas, originally from Wallasey, Wirral, has been head judge on the BBC show since 2017.