Shirley Ballas has been a daily fixture on our TV screens for a number of years now, however what will we find out about her life away from the BBC present?

She’s been gracing our telly screens for years, and most will recognise Shirley Ballas as the pinnacle decide on BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing.

The 64 12 months previous skilled dancer is again on the panel for the most recent sequence of the long-lasting BBC present, becoming a member of Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood of their quest to crown the following Glitterball trophy winner.

As we welcome her again to our telly for an additional spherical of Strictly, right here we take a deep dive into Shirley’s life away the BBC One dance present, together with her marriages, illustrious dance profession and household tragedy….

Early years

Born Shirley Annette Wealthy in 1960 and introduced up in Wallasey, she was raised by her mum Audrey and brother David after her dad left when she was simply two, experiences Wales On-line.

Shirley started dancing at seven and shortly began competing. At 15, she moved to Shipley in West Yorkshire to stay with the household of her new associate Nigel Tiffany, a British Ballroom Champion.

Two years on, she and Nigel moved to London, however their partnership ended when Shirley was satisfied to audition to associate with Sammy Stopford.

Shirley hung up her aggressive dancing footwear in 1996.

TV profession

Shirley launched her TV profession in 2017 when she joined the judging panel of Strictly Come Dancing, moving into Len Goodman’s footwear as Head Choose on the BBC dance present.

She has additionally appeared on Dancing with the Stars, providing grasp courses and offering commentary on the favored present.

Throughout 2024, Shirley appeared on The Masked Singer, performing because the character Rat earlier than being eradicated within the third episode.

She’s additionally featured on Who Do You Assume You Are?, The Nice British Stitching Bee, The Wheel, Taskmaster and Superstar Bear Hunt.

Household tragedy

Shirley’s world was shattered in 2003 when her brother David tragically took his personal life aged 44. The tv persona was left “completely devastated” by the loss.

Since then, she’s championed the psychological well being charity Marketing campaign In opposition to Residing Miserably, often known as CALM. Throughout 2023, Shirley tackled the zip wire problem at Zip World and organised further fundraising stunts, together with a 700-ft wing stroll, to assist the trigger.

Relationships

Shirley’s preliminary marriage was to ballroom dancer and teacher Sammy Stopford. The pair wed in 1980 when Shirley was simply 18, with their union lasting 5 years.

Shirley remarried in 1985 to American ballroom dancer Corky Ballas. The couple carried out in dance competitions as companions and even moved to Houston, Texas to compete stateside.

Shirley gave beginning to her first little one, Mark, with Corky in 1986, whose full identify is Mark Alexander. Their son inherited their ardour for dance and have become an expert performer, recognised for his appearances on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars.

Shirley and Corky’s marriage led to divorce in 2007. She subsequently had a relationship with actor Danny Taylor, with the couple turning into engaged at one stage.

Nonetheless, in direction of the top of 2024 it emerged that Danny and Shirley had known as time on their six-year relationship.

Shirley had beforehand disclosed that she’d had a change of coronary heart about strolling down the aisle for a 3rd time after experiencing two failed marriages.

Stalker ordeal

In February 2025, a 37 12 months previous man admitted guilt to stalking Shirley and inflicting her “severe hurt or misery” spanning from August 2017 via to November 2023, throughout proceedings at Liverpool Crown Court docket.

Experiences indicated that the person’s behaviour had a “substantial opposed impact” on Shirley’s day by day routine, forcing her to beef up her safety measures, transfer her mom to completely different lodging and reshape her social {and professional} commitments.

Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturday on BBC One.