Strictly Come Dancing Head Judge Shirley Ballas
Shirley Ballas is a British professional ballroom dancer, coach, and TV personality, best known as the Head Judge on Strictly Come Dancing. She joined the BBC One show in 2017 (Series 15), stepping into the role after Len Goodman retired.
Renowned as one of the most successful Latin American dancers in the world, Shirley has been nicknamed the “Queen of Latin” thanks to her glittering career and countless championship titles.
Learn all about Shirley’s glittering dancing achievements below Table of Contents
Quick Facts About Shirley Ballas
| Attribute | Detail |
| Full Name | Shirley Annette Ballas |
| Age | 65 (born 6 September 1960) |
| From | Wallasey, England |
| Height | 1.59m (5ft 2in) |
| Strictly Role | Head Judge (since 2017) |
| Known As | “Queen of Latin” |
| Relationship | Actor Danny Taylor |
Photographer Credit: Blake Ezra Studio
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Shirley Ballas Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shirley Ballas in a relationship?
Yes, Shirley is currently in a relationship with actor Danny Taylor, who she met while performing in pantomime in Liverpool.
She was previously married to:
- Corky Ballas (1985–2007) – with whom she has a son, Mark Ballas, now a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars US.
- Sammy Stopford (1980–1984) – professional dancer and partner on the competition circuit.
When did Shirley start dancing?
Shirley began dancing at just 7 years old and was competing by the age of 9, where she first met Len Goodman, who judged one of her earliest competitions.
What are Shirley Ballas’s greatest dance achievements?
Shirley’s competitive career is legendary. By the age of 21, she had already won nearly every major title available in the world of Latin dance. Her honours include:
- British National Champion (multiple times)
- United States Latin American Champion (10 times)
- British Open to the World Latin American Champion (3 times)
She was also a finalist and winner at many other prestigious events, cementing her reputation as the Queen of Latin.
Does Shirley Ballas still dance professionally?
No, Shirley retired from professional competition in 1996. However, she occasionally performs showcase routines, including appearances on Strictly Come Dancing.
What did Shirley do before Strictly?
Before joining Strictly as Head Judge, Shirley worked as:
- A mentor on Dancing with the Stars US, helping train professional dancers.
- A coach and mentor for top international dancers.
- A judge at Ballroom and Latin American championships around the world.
Who were Shirley Ballas’s professional partners?
Throughout her dance career, Shirley partnered with:
- Corky Ballas
- Nigel Tiffany
- Sammy Stopford
When did Shirley join Strictly Come Dancing?
Shirley joined Strictly in 2017 (Series 15), replacing Len Goodman as Head Judge.
Did Shirley know Len Goodman?
Yes, Shirley first encountered Len when he judged her at a competition at age 9. Later, as a teenager, Len Goodman trained her during part of her career.
Fun Fact about Shirley Ballas
Her son, Mark Ballas, is a professional dancer and long-standing pro on Dancing with the Stars US, the American version of Strictly.
BBC Strictly Come Dancing
Find out more information about the BBC TV programme Strictly Come Dancing
by checking out the BBC Strictly Come Dancing website
www.bbc.co.uk/strictlycomedancing
Learn more about Shirley Ballas on the BBC Strictly Come Dancing website.
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Meet all the Strictly Come Dancing Professional Dancers
Learn more about all your favourite Strictly Pro’s here
– Aljaz Skorjanec
– Alexis Warr
– Amy Dowden MBE
– Carlos Gu
– Dianne Buswell
– Giovanni Pernice
– Gorka Marquez
– Johannes Radebe
– Jowita Przystal
– Julian Caillon
– Kai Widdrington
– Karen Hauer
– Katya Jones
– Lauren Oakley
– Luba Mushtuk
– Michelle Tsiakkas
– Nadiya Bychkova
– Nancy Xu
– Neil Jones
– Nikita Kuzmin
– Vito Coppola
– Oti Mabuse
Meet all the Strictly Come Dancing Judges
Learn more about all the Strictly Judges here;
– Anton du Beke
– Shirley Ballas
– Motsi Mabuse
– Craig Revel Horwood
