My tough step from teaching to judging Strictly, by Shirley
STRICTLY Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas has revealed she gets “butterflies” every Saturday night.
The Queen of Latin, who replaced Len Goodman this autumn, has endured a torrid start to her life on the show.
She has made frequent blunders, once mistaking Good Morning Britain’s Charlotte Hawkins for The Saturdays singer Mollie King.
And she admitted her rapid promotion from relatively unknown dance instructor to chief critic on television’s biggest show had been difficult.
“Going from being a dance teacher to suddenly being the head judge was a little overwhelming, but it’s amazing and thrilling,” she said.
Shirley, 57, thinks this series of the contest could cap a year of surprises by producing the oldest winner in the show’s history.
Feisty
Asked whether magician Paul Daniels’ widow Debbie McGee, 59, could lift the glitter ball trophy next month, she cryptically said: “It’s an unpredictable year.”
Of her relationship with the viewers Shirley told the Daily Express: “The public love someone who is sincere and honest.
“I have been around for 50 years in this industry, I’ll just be as honest as I can.
“I am very strict, feisty and fair. I want people to do well but I want people to take healthy criticism. It’s a competition and I will be giving my honest opinion.” Twice-married Shirley, who is currently single, says the most important thing in her life is her family – including her 80-year-old mother Audrey.
Tonight viewers can see her perform a rhumba with movie star Will Ferrell when they appear as guests on The Graham Norton Show.
Meanwhile, Debbie has revealed she takes her wedding ring off during dances because it could be dangerous for her partner Giovanni Pernice – not because she is in love.
Rumours the pair are an item have been rife, but she said: “If Giovanni grabs my hand and gets me, I could scratch him or pull a finger off.”
Asked about speculation they are involved in a relationship, Debbie said: “It just makes us laugh.”
The Graham Norton Show 10.35pm on BBC One. is at