Shirley Ballas has insisted the BBC "don't get it wrong" when it comes to 'Strictly Come Dancing'.

Shirley Ballas

Shirley Ballas

The 57-year-old head judge backed the BBC series to be given a "chance" with this year's celebrity line-up - which includes ex-Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts, 36, 'What Not to Wear' star Susannah Constantine, 56 and TV presenter Katie Piper, 34 - and when it comes to picking a panel for the celebrity dance competition, the BBC "don't get it wrong".

Speaking to ITV's Loose Women about the full line-up, Shirley said: "First of all I don't think the BBC ever get it wrong, that's just my feeling and I think also they gave me a chance last year when I appeared in the paper and I got a lot of abuse online and people didn't even know me or give me half a chance.

"And this year is completely different, I feel embraced, I feel loved and this is exactly what's going to happen with this."

The Strictly judge argued that despite growing criticism, this year's line-up of A-listers are a "diverse panel" and once people start watching the contest, they will love the line-up as much as she does.

Shirley added: "I believe, you know, just a diverse panel of beautiful people all with a story. You've an Olympian there, it's just going to be fantastic and we need to give it a chance. Everybody has their opinions but you know, they're just opinions.

"It has to be a mixture of people and at the end of the day people will watch it they'll judge for themselves. Give these stars a chance and I know that, as with every year with the ratings, people love to tune in and this is going to be a great panel."

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