A man has appeared in court charged with stalking Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas.
Kyle Shaw, 37, is accused of stalking the 64-year-old between 31 August 2017 and 29 November 2023 by sending her online messages.
He is also charged with possession of a quantity of cannabis.
The defendant, of Whetstone Lane in Birkenhead, Wirral, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday wearing a black coat over a shirt and tie.
No pleas were entered during the hearing, which lasted a few minutes, and Shaw spoke only to confirm his name and that he understood what had been said.
He was given bail with conditions including not to enter London and not to contact Ballas or her partner.
A provisional trial date was set for 12 January next year, with the case expected to last five days.
Judge Robert Trevor-Jones adjourned the case for a hearing on 25 February.
Ballas, originally from Wallasey, Wirral, has been head judge on the BBC show since 2017.
Source: Press Association
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