Strictly Come Dancing’s Shirley Ballas says show is ‘better than being married’

12 November 2023 , 19:00

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Strictly Come Dancing’s Shirley Ballas says show is ‘better than being married’

Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has spoken out on her love of dance and the BBC show as she compared her ex-husbands with her professional dancing career.

Shirley was appointed head judge on Strictly in 2017 following the departure of Len Goodman, who died in April earlier this year. In an exclusive interview with The Mirror, Shirley opened up on why she loves the BBC show and what keeps her coming back to judge each year.

She said: "Well, it's not so much even Strictly, I am married to ballroom and latin dancing, I've had several husbands, they're not as good as being married. I've been married to it since age seven – I love the music, I love dance, whether I'm doing it at a function somewhere or whether I'm doing it on Strictly or whether I'm training people for major competitions. It's an honour to be a part of that phenomenal show."

Shirley Ballas joined Strictly in 2017

Shirley tied the knot with her first husband and dance partner Sammy Stopford when she was just 18. Four years after saying ‘I do’ the couple went their separate ways and filed for divorce in 1984.

Despite their split, the former couple have remained close friends. Shirley married her second husband American ballroom dancer Corky Ballas in 1985. The pair remained married for 22 years and share a son Mark, 36, before splitting in 2007.

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Shirley previously revealed her marriage to Corky was an unhappy one and claimed he cheated on her multiple times as well as constantly criticism her appearance. The head judge is now at her happiest with current partner Danny Taylor.

She previously said: "Danny is probably the first person who has liked every bit of me, whether I’m a few pounds lighter or heavier. He doesn’t see all that.” Shirley judges on Strictly alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and the newest edition to the panel, Anton Du Beke.

The dancing champion shared: "I've known Anton for 35 years so he used to come into the studio, doing his ballroom and I'd always be teaching the Latin and he was exactly the same then as he is now. Anton and I are really from the same cloth if you like and he’s a very respectful man.

"And of course, you've got Motsi, who's just the most amazing human with so much positive energy so I feel like I'm an energy sandwich and I'm the filling in between. And then I've got my buddy on the end, Craig who's very similar to my comments, actually, so I really adore listening to his critiques even though they're a little fierce, but I put them on the right stage when they get to my turn."

Charlotte McIntyre