Shirley Ballas' marriage U-turn after admitting she'd wed Danny 'tomorrow'

11 November 2023 , 19:00

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Shirley Ballas shares marriage U-turn after admitting she'd wed Danny Taylor 'tomorrow' (Image: Mike Marsland/Getty Images for Good Housekeeping Live)

Shirley Ballas has admitted that she's changed her mind about getting married, after previously being "very excited" to tie the knot for a third time.

The Strictly Come Dancing judge has been in a relationship with Danny Taylor since 2018, having met the English actor during pantomime rehearsals for Jack And The Beanstalk.

Shirley, 63, told ITV's Lorraine that she was dating someone new in early 2019, after months of speculation about the award-winning dancer's love life. She confirmed the lucky man to be 50-year-old Danny in March of that year, much to the excitement of her devout fanbase. Over the past few years, Shirley has been refreshingly open about her connection with the Liverpudlian actor. She even called him the "One" in an interview with Hello, crediting him as the reason she "readjusted" her life before hailing him as "magnificently special." She also revealed she's met his parents and that everybody gets along, calling their happy family dynamic a "plus."

Shirley Ballas has had a change of heart about marrying Danny Taylor (David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)

Shirley Ballas has previously said she's marry Danny Taylor 'tomorrow' if he asked her (Getty Images for The National Lottery)

As for wedding plans, Shirley told the Sun in 2019 that she was more than keen on making Danny her husband. "I would marry him tomorrow, if he asked me. If this is what love is I have never experienced it before," she admitted.

Shirley is no stranger to nuptials, having exchanged vows twice before. The Welsh native tied the knot for the first time in 1980 to fellow ballroom dancer, Sammy Stepford, whom she met when she was just 17. After their divorce in 1984, Shirley quickly moved on and began a relationship with Corky Ballas, who also danced professionally for a living. They married in 1985 and went on to welcome a son named Mark, only to divorce in 2007, after a tumultuous 22 years together.

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Shirley and ex husband Corky Ballas (Internet Unknown)

Despite having previously expressed a desire to marry again, it appears Shirley has now scrapped the idea and no longer wants a ring on her finger.

"Neither of us want anyone else and we get on remarkably well, and we've found our way," Shirley told Best magazine. "I definitely don't want to get married. Of course, everyone knows at the beginning I was very excited about getting married. But I'm not anymore."

The legendary performer, who has previously said it's a 'miracle' that she and Danny are still together despite their busy schedules, went on to admit that the West End star wasn't exactly the 'marrying' type.

"Danny's been single all his life, and I don't think marriage was ever really on the cards," she explained. "We have a great time when we see each other. We'll watch a movie and do some meditation together."

Shirley also implied that even if she wanted to get married, she likely wouldn't have the time to plan the wedding. Not only is the 'Queen of Latin' currently starring as Head Judge on Strictly Come Dancing, she's also about to become a grandmother for the first time. Shirley announced in August that her son Mark, who stars as a pro dancer on Dancing With The Stars, is expecting a child with wife, BC Jean.

Shirley met Daniel Taylor as the pair worked together in a 2018 pantomime (Getty Images for Barclaycard Exclusive)

Mark Ballas and BC Jean are expecting their first child together (Getty Images)

"There's so much going on at the moment," she admitted. "I'm going to be a glam-ma soon." Shirley previously revealed that Mark, 37, had delivered the special news to her and his father Corky while they were visiting him in Vegas.

"Mark told us the news in such a thoughtful way," she told GoodHousekeeping. "I was in Las Vegas with his dad, Corky, because Mark was performing out there, and after the show his dog came in wearing a little bandana. It took us a while before we finally clocked that on the front of the bandana it said, ‘Baby on board’!'

Emma Dooney