About Shirley Ballas
Shirley Annette Ballas famed as Shirley Ballas is an English ballroom dancer. Moreover, she is also a dance teacher as well as a dance adjudicator. She specializes in the International Latin division, where she won several championship titles which earned her the nickname: The Queen of Latin". She got her breakthrough after winning the 1983 "International Latin American Dance Championship" with her ex-husband Sammy Stopford. In the year 1996, she finally retired from dancing professionally and took up the occupation of a dance teacher and judge for ballroom and Latin American competitions. She was appointed a head judge on the BBC TV show, "Strictly Come Dancing" following the departure of Len Goodman in the year 2017.
Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas had viewers confused on Saturday night with her comment to Maisie Smith. Maisie performed the Salsa with her partner Gorka Marquez and received a fantastic critique overall from judges Shirley, Craig Revel Horwood, and stand-in judge Anton Du Beke. Shirley told Maisie: "Well what a way to come back from the dreaded dance-off to come out and put on a performance like this week. "I love the way you used feminine sensing zones that was beautiful, you're an accomplished dancer, absolutely no fear." Shirley continued: "Keep working on your feet keep working on those lovely positions... It's getting better by the week.
Shirley Ballas is famous for being an English ballroom dancer, dance teacher, and dance adjudicator. She is best known for being a judge on the BBC TV show, "Strictly Come Dancing".
Source: @radiotimes
On 6th September 1960, Shirley Ballas was born in Wallasey, England with the full name/birth name of Shirley Annette Rich. Her hometown is in Wallasey. She holds an English nationality and her ethnic background is Multiracial. She is of possible African ancestry. As of 2020, she celebrated her 60th birthday. Her Zodiac sign is Virgo and her religion is Christian. She was born to her parents; George Rich (father) and Audrey Rich (mother). She also has a sibling; a brother named David. Her brother David took his own life at the age of 44 in 2003. It was only then that she reunited with her father Andrew and grew close to him. Her father left the family when she was only two years old. Talking about her education, she has not revealed anything about it.
With a slim body build, Shirley stands tall at the height of 5 ft 2.5 in or 159 cm. Her balanced weight consists of 53 KG or 117 lbs. Her hair color is dark brown and her eye color is dark brown. She has a hawk nose shape with an oval face shape. She has a high forehead with shoulder-length hair. She is very conscious of her food intake and she regularly does exercises. Her waist size is 28 in. Her bra size is 40 C and her breast size is 35 in. As of now, she has got a healthy body.
Shirley Ballas's Career
- At the age of seven, she started dancing. When she was at the age of fifteen, she moved to North Yorkshire to partner British Ballroom Champion Nigel Tiffany, which she described as "a difficult time".
- After two years, she moved with Tiffany to London, where their partnership ended after dance teacher Nina Hunt convinced her to audition to partner with dancer Sammy Stopford.
- With him, their best result was winning Professional Latin at Blackpool Dance Festival in the year 1983.
- Later with her second husband (Corky Ballas), their best result was winning Professional Latin at Blackpool Dance Festival in 1995 and 1996. They then moved to Houston, Texas to compete in the US.
- After divorcing Corky, she stopped competing in dance competitions in 1996, becoming a dance coach and judge for ballroom and Latin American competitions.
- Shas later appeared on "Dancing with the Stars", giving master classes and commentating on the show.
- It was announced on 9th May 2017 stating that she would be joining the judging panel of "Strictly Come Dancing" on BBC One, replacing Len Goodman as head judge.
- She made her first appearance on the panel four months later - at the launch show of series 15 on 9th September that year.
- She also appeared as Guest Panelist for the two-episode in the year 2018 as well as herself in the TV series "Who Do You Think You Are?". What's more, she guest appeared in Joe Lycett's Got Your Back in the year 2019.
- She next appeared in another reality TV program "Our School Summer" in the year 2019 and she is active in this until now.
Source: @metro.co.uk
Shirley Ballas's Personal Life
Shirley Ballas is a married woman. She was married to Sammy Stopford when she was at the age of eighteen. Their relationship ended after five years of their marriage. After that, she married Corky Ballas in the mid-1980s. After winning the Professional Latin at Blackpool Dance Festival in 1995 and 1996, the couple moved to Houston, Texas. The married couple is also blessed with a kid (son) named Mark Ballas who is a professional ballroom dancer. Their son was born in the year 1986. Later, in the year 2007, the duo divorced. At present, she is in a relationship with her boyfriend, Danny Taylor. The duo has been together for almost two years, but have spent much more quality time together in the last few months than ever before. During the first lockdown, Strictly's Shirley told presenter Gaby Roslin that the couple was previously spending a day together a week, and so the last few months have been a "learning curve". Shirley and Danny met during the 2018-2019 winter pantomime season when they were both starring in a Christmas production of Jack and The Beanstalk at the Liverpool Empire. Their romance was confirmed in January 2019, when they were spotted strolling around London's arm in arm. Shirley explained: "I just love that man I just want to sit there all day and stare at him. He is 'The One'. As of now, the duo is enjoying their present life happily without any disturbances. Her sexual orientation is straight.
Source: @whatsontv.co.uk
Shirley Ballas's Net Worth 2020
Shirley Ballas is a famous ballroom dancer who has made a huge amount of money throughout her career. As of 2020, the net worth of Shirley Ballas is estimated to have $5 Million. Shirley Ballas began on a meager £180k but negotiated a pay rise, bringing her Strictly salary up to a whopping quarter of a million quid per series. She's also earning a pretty penny from appearing on Panto each year, and teaching at a dance school in Streatham, South London. She is living a luxurious lifestyle from her earnings. Her major source of earning comes from a dancing career and she is satisfied with her earnings. Through her social media, she has either endorsed or promoted various brands such as Liz Earle.
