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<\/p>\nStrictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas is convinced she came face to face with a ghost in a hotel bed.<\/p>\n
The BBC judge, who dressed as an evil queen on this week\u2019s Halloween show, inset, has shared her eerie experience at the 16th Century Leasowe Castle Hotel in Wirral. It's fair to say the ballroom critic isn't someone who will fall for any old parlour tricks.<\/p>\n
But the 63-year-old star was adamant that she saw someone from beyond the grave after one chilling night at the spooky castle. She recalled: \u201cI had a paranormal experience when I was staying at the castle. It\u2019s a very old place.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: <\/b>BBC Strictly favourite 'unrecognisable' as he makes show return three years after exit<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n
READ MORE: <\/b>BBC Strictly's Amy Dowden 'gutted' after update on cancer battle as co-stars rally round<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I could have sworn there was somebody at the bottom of my bed. I do believe in ghosts, so I did not rule anything out. It was a little on the scary side.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The incident left Shirley so terrified that she turned to her doting mum Audrey for support. However her doting mother failed to believe her terrifying ordeal and gave her a serving of tough love.<\/p>\n
The judge went on: \u201cI told my mother and she said, \u2018Get over yourself, you\u2019ll be fine\u2019.\u201d This isn't the first time the Strictly Come Dancing cast have come face to face with paranormal activity. <\/p>\n
It has been rumoured that the Strictly set at Elstree Television Centre, in Hertfordshire, is haunted after stars on the dance contest have experienced a number of unusual noises in the public bathrooms. Luckily, Shirley is keeping an eye out for strange activity in and around the studio.<\/p>\n
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She added: \u201cI\u2019ve not been aware of anything. I haven\u2019t seen anything at the studio, but I\u2019ll be having a look. I\u2019m scared to go to work now.\u201d It comes after pro dancer Neil Jones has revealed which dancer has taken over as the cheeky prankster on the BBC set as he settles down with fianc\u00e9e Chyna Mills.<\/p>\n
In an exclusive interview with Daily Star, the doting dad has admitted he has made quite a name for himself on set as the token prankster. He told us: "Everyone says I'm the prankster, but I feel like I'm becoming a little bit less. <\/p>\n
"I did my fair share of pranks back in the day. I definitely have my moments but I'm a little bit more relaxed now." But after welcoming his daughter Havana with the former Love Island star, he has passed on the baton to another cast member.<\/p>\n
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The TV star warned his co-stars that they could still expect some mischief on set after he recruited his pal Gorka Marquez to keep the celebrities and their dance partners on their toes. He chuckled: "Gorka is a prankster, 100 percent. He's definitely the troublemaker in the group.\u201d <\/p>\n
Strictly Come Dancing airs on weekends from 6.30pm on BBC One or catch-up on BBC iPlayer.<\/b><\/p>\n
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