Shirley Come Dancing! Strictly’s New Head Judge Revealed
Well pickle my walnuts and call me Shirley. Ex-Strictly Head Judge Len Goodman has finally been replaced. Shirley Ballas, please, take to the floor!
Who is Shirley Ballas?
Nicknamed the ‘Queen of Latin’ by her peers, the 56-year-old retired professional dancer is the 10-time United States Latin American Champion and more than qualified to take Len’s place.
Beating funny fan favourite Anton Du Beke to the coveted post, Shirley is the fourth female judge to grace the Strictly Come Dancing panel.
Photo by Startraks Photo/REX/Shutterstock
She follows in the twinkle-toed footsteps of Arlene Phillips, Alesha Dixon, and current judge Darcey Bussell, who won the nation’s hearts by managing to find the good in everything – even if that meant focussing on Ed Balls’s ‘energy’ as opposed to his bumbling footwork in last year’s series.
The Strictly curse strikes again!
It seems that even judges can’t escape the dreaded Strictly curse. Shirley split from dance partner husband Corky Ballas in 2007 following cheating allegations, with Corky’s new romance with fiery Russian Strictly pro Kristina Rihanoff announced before the divorce was finalised. Scandalous!
This isn’t the first time the blonde bombshell has been at the centre of Strictly controversy either. Notoriously shacking up with celebrity partner and rugby star ‘big’ Ben Cohen, the couple now share a daughter, Milena.
Will Kristina dare to return to Strictly and face the scoring paddle of her love rival? It could make for some wonderfully awkward viewing, and if we’re lucky, some slightly bitter underscoring. We can’t wait.
Strictly will be back on our screens this September, with Shirley Ballas joining the popular BBC judging panel of Craig Revel-Horwood, Darcey Bussell, and Bruno Tonioli.
Next time, eh, Anton?
Super Free Slot Games Directory
We want your online gaming experience to be an enjoyable one, and that means enabling you to stay in control of your play. For more information, help, and advice, you can visit our Safer Gambling page via our main menu (≡) at any time.
Gambling whilst under the age of 18 is a criminal offence. We take this very seriously, so to use this site and access the gambling sites that we are promoting, you must be aged 18 or over.
GamCare is the leading national provider of information, advice, support and free treatment for anyone affected by problem gambling. You can contact them confidentially via Netline or on Freephone: 0808 8020 133
GAMSTOP is a free service that lets you put controls in place to help restrict your online gambling activities. Sign up to be prevented from using gambling websites and apps run by companies licensed in Great Britain, for a period of your choosing.
GambleAware is an independent charity, and a commissioning and grant-making body. They fund research, education and treatment services to help to reduce gambling-related harms in Great Britain.
Gambling Therapy are a global online support service, offering advice in multiple languages for people who have been adversely affected by gambling.