Star Breaks
Ballroom Dance Lessons
Reviews
Brochure
Meet The Professionals
Read all our latest...
Be the first to know...
....all the latest information about our amazing Weekend Breaks with the Stars.
Photo Gallery
Our Resort Hotels
Shirley Ballas
Strictly Come Dancing Head Judge Shirley Ballas
Updated 5th December 2023
Shirley Ballas joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2017 as Head Judge for the 15th series – replacing Len Goodman when he stood down.
British born Shirley came to Strictly with great credentials and is recognised as one of the most successful professional Latin American dancers in the world.
Shirley was nicknamed the ‘Queen of Latin’ having won a host of titles including; ‘British Open to the World’ Latin American Championships three times; ‘United States Latin American Championship’ 10 times, and also holding the ‘British National Champion’ title multiple times.
Shirley started her dancing career early, competing from the age of nine when she met Len Goodman for the first time – Len was one of her judges in an early competition.
Shirley grew up in Wallasey, England and attended Donahey’s Dance School for one of her early years competitions, and then went on to perform at Donahey’s with her then partner ‘Sammy Stopford.
Learn all about Shirley’s glittering dancing achievements below
Photographer Credit: Blake Ezra Studio
5* Weekend Breaks with the Stars of TV
Who better to teach you to dance than the professional dancers from Strictly Come Dancing? You can meet the stars, learn their steps and be captivated as they perform spectacular shows just for you.
Fri 19th – Sun 21st July 2024
5* Celtic Manor Resort Hotel
Newport, South Wales
Spend the weekend with your favourite stars of Strictly Come Dancing at the stunning 5* Celtic Manor Resort in South Wales
Join Gorka & Karen, Kai & Nadiya, Janette & Aljaz, Katya, Leandro & Maria, Glenn & Caroly, Warren & Kristi plus The Tony Greenwood 15-piece Big Band.
Shirley Ballas Facts – Height, Age, Dance Partners, Relationships, Awards, Tours
How old is Shirley?
63 years old (born 6th September 1960)
What is Shirley’s height?
Shirley stands at 1.59m tall
Where is Shirley from?
Wallasey, England
Is Shirley in a relationship?
Currently Shirley is in a relationship with boyfriend actor Danny Taylor.
Shirley met boyfriend Danny while they were both appearing in pantomime in Liverpool
Shirley was previously married to professional dancer & husband Sammy Stopford, between 1980 – 1984.
Then Shirley married Professional Dancer Corky Ballas 1985 – 2007, with whom they had son Mark Ballas.
When did Shirley start dancing?
At the age of 7
What are Shirley’s greatest dance achievements?
Winning nearly every major title she competed in worldwide by the age of 21. Winning the British National Champion title multiple times; winning the United States Latin American Championship 10 times; winning the ‘British Open to the World’ Latin American Championships three times
Does Shirley still dance professionally?
Apart from the occasional performance on Strictly, Shirley retired from professional dancing in 1996
What was Shirley doing before joining Strictly?
Coaching other professional dancers and judging Ballroom and Latin American Championships around the world. As well as working with dancers on the US version of Strictly, Dancing with the Stars.
Who were Shirley’s professional partners during her dancing career?
Nigel Tiffany, Sammy Stopford & Corky Ballas
Shirley Ballas Fact?
Shirley’s son Mark Ballas is a professional dancer on the US version of Strictly Come Dancing, Dancing With The Stars.
Mark has partnered celebrities on the TV show for the past 20 years.
When did Shirley join Strictly Come Dancing?
Shirley arrived for the 2017 series taking on the role of Head Judge after Len Goodman stood down
Did Shirley know Len Goodman?
Yes, Len judged Shirley in an early competition when she was nine and as a teenager Len trained her.
Photographer Credit: Blake Ezra Studio
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.
Donahey’s Dance Lessons & 4* UK Weekend Breaks have no association with the BBC.
Meet all the Strictly Come Dancing Professional Dancers
Learn more about all your favourite Strictly Pro’s here;
– Aljaz Skorjanec
– Amy Dowden
– Dianne Buswell
– Giovanni Pernice
– Gorka Marquez
– Graziano di Prima
– Janette Manrara
– Johannes Radebe
– Jowita Przystal
– Kai Widdrington
– Karen Hauer
– Katya Jones
– Luba Mushtuk
– Nadiya Bychkova
– Nancy Xu
– Neil Jones
– Nikita Kuzmin
– Jowita Przystal
– Lauren Oakley
– 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
