New Queen of Strictly and her very awkward history with star Kristina
MOST people outside the dancing world will never have heard of her.
But international ballroom champion Shirley Ballas has landed one of the top jobs in showbusiness, as the new head judge on Strictly Come Dancing.
Seven dancing stars were auditioned to replace Len Goodman, including Strictly professionals Anton du Beke and Brendan Cole and ex-pro Karen Hardy.
Unlike most of them, the British-born 56-year-old – nicknamed the Queen of Latin – has never been involved in the hit BBC dancing competition and does not have extensive TV experience.
She does, however, have rather awkward history with the show and the infamous ‘Curse of Strictly’.
Her second husband, Corky Ballas, left her for glamorous Strictly professional dancer Kristina Rihanoff, nearly 20 years his junior, after becoming her dance teacher.
Fortunately for producers, there is no chance of the two women clashing on camera because 39-year-old Miss Rihanoff, who is now married to rugby star
‘Wonderful opportunity’
Ben Cohen after her five-year relationship with Mr Ballas, quit after the 2015 series finished.
Speaking after her appointment yesterday, Miss Ballas said: ‘I am so excited and over the moon to have been given this wonderful opportunity.
‘I can’t wait to get in to the ballroom and be part of the incredible and respected judging panel. Strictly is so loved by the British public, I have always been a massive fan.’
It is thought producers chose Miss Ballas because of her depth of experience in ballroom and Latin dancing.
As a professional she won most of the top international titles, and since retiring in 1996 she has become a high-profile coach and trusted judge.
Miss Ballas and Corky have one son, 30-year- old Mark, who is a musician and professional dancer on Dancing With The Stars, the US version of Strictly. Her first marriage was to her then dance partner Sammy Stopford. The pair won the 1983 International Latin American Dance Championship together, but their marriage came to an end when Miss Ballas met Corky at a dance competition in Quebec.
Later he was in a five-year relationship with Miss Rihanoff.
Speaking to the Daily Mail in 2009, Miss Rihanoff said the relationship broke down after he supposedly cheated on her with a budding actress and she moved back to London from Los Angeles.
She said: ‘I got offered the chance to do this [appear on Strictly] in London so it was doomed. How could we have kept that going when he was in LA and I was here?
‘Being cheated on is hurtful. Most women know that. I will never understand why men do what they do.’
Miss Ballas emerged as an unlikely favourite to join existing Strictly judges Darcey Bussell, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli after a screen test, and secured the role after a secret second audition.
Former ballerina Miss Bussell said: ‘I look forward to meeting Shirley and welcoming her to our Strictly team. Her years of experience in ballroom and Latin dancing are impressive and I’m sure she will be a great addition to our judging panel.’
The next series will begin in the autumn. Last week professional dancer Natalie Lowe retired from the show. The BBC is expected to confirm the line-up of professional dancers next month.