SHIRLEY: IT’S A BUNCH OF FIVES FROM ME
New Strictly judge’s hot temper revealed
NEW Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas’s former protege has warned stars not the mess with her. Singer Cheryl’s ex Derek Hough said the “Queen of Latin” almost knocked his teeth out. Derek, 31, and his sister Julianne lived with Shirley when they were at London’s Italia Conti fame school. After five years at her home in Dulwich, they went on to be professionals on US show Dancing with the Stars.
Derek wrote about Shirley, 56, in his book Taking the Lead: Lessons from a Life in Motion.
The American recalled how she caught him lying after sneaking a cigarette into her house.
He wrote: “She raised her hand and slapped it hard across my cheek. I swear I almost swallowed my teeth. That was the day I learned never to lie to Shirley.
“If you crossed Shirley, you paid a price.”
And anyone hoping illness could get them a bye may be in for a shock. Derek wrote that she told him: “If you can’t go to school, then you can’t go to rehearsals.
“And if you can’t go to rehearsals, then you can’t do the competitions.”
Derek, who went out with Cheryl in 2010 after appearing in her video for Parachutes, was full of praise for Shirley’s appointment.
He tweeted: “Not only one of the most iconic female champions of all time but a celebrated coach and mentor to the top competitors of the world.
“I can’t think of anyone more deserving. Extremely excited.”
Ex-Strictly pro Ian Waite hinted at Shirley’s ruthless approach to perfection, saying he expected her “not to mince her words”.