A man has admitted stalking Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas over a six-year period.

Kyle Shaw, 37, pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to stalking Ballas, 64, between August 31 2017 and November 29 2023.

The defendant, from Birkenhead, Wirral, also admitted possession of cannabis.

According to the charge, Shaw caused Ballas "serious alarm or distress, which had a substantial adverse effect on her usual day-to-day activities".

The 37-year-old pleaded guilty to stalking Ballas today

Ballas, who is originally from Wallasey, Wirral, has been the head judge on the popular BBC dance competition since 2017.

Shaw was given conditional bail ahead of a sentencing hearing due to take place on April 1.

The court heard how his actions caused serious alarm to the dance judge over the extended period.

Shaw, of Whetstone Lane in Birkenhead, has been stalking Ballas since the same year she joined Strictly as head judge.

The Strictly head judge has endured the 6-year-long stalking ordeal

The 64-year-old TV star, known for her expertise as a ballroom dancer, has been subjected to Shaw's behaviour for six years.

The case has now been adjourned until April when Shaw will learn his sentence.

The case has drawn attention as Ballas is a prominent figure on one of the BBC's most popular entertainment programmes.

Shaw's guilty plea comes after a lengthy period of stalking that began when Ballas first took on her role with Strictly.

The court did not provide details about the specific nature of Shaw's stalking behaviour.

Both Shaw and Ballas have connections to the Wirral area, with Ballas originally hailing from Wallasey.

The judge will consider all aspects of the case when Shaw returns to Liverpool Crown Court for sentencing in April.