NEW JUDGE SHIRLEY HIT ME AS CHILD
‘Son’ Derek reveals all
STRICTLY’S new judge Shirley Ballas has been exposed as a strict taskmaster at home as well as on the dance floor.
The “Queen of Latin” has signed up to replace Len Goodman on the BBC show this autumn.
But two former proteges, who were raised by Shirley and who treated her as “family”, claim they had a tough time.
American-born dancers Julianne Hough and brother Derek were sent to London’s prestigious Italia Conti theatre school in 1999 as their parents were getting divorced.
The pair lived and studied with coach Shirley and her husband at the time, Corky, and were treated like “son and daughter”.
However, Julianne, who was 10 at the time, and Derek, who was 14, have lifted the lid on their time with the couple.
Derek, who went on to become a professional on the US series Dancing With The Stars and was also close to singer Cheryl, told how Shirley once smacked him across the face after he denied smoking
® a cigarette. In his autobiography, he wrote: “She raised her hand and slapped it hard across my cheek.”
He also claimed he was put through a punishing regime even when sick.
Derek added: “It was hard. If you crossed Shirley, you paid a price.”
Shirley has admitted slapping him and said: “He never smoked again.”
Meanwhile Julianne, who went on to become a movie star and also a Dancing With The Stars favourite, has spoken about the “torment” of being caught up in the ballroom dance world at such a young age.
She said: “I was 10 looking like I was 28. I think it’s so sad I have no pictures of me with a cute, bare, 10-year-old face.”
However, the Houghs are still very close to Shirley. Julianne tweeted: “So excited for @ShirleyBallas but even more excited for all of you to witness this queen do her thing!”
Derek added: “Her knowledge and passion for dance is unprecedented!!! I can’t think of anyone more deserving.” STRICTY Come Dancing couple Aljaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrara are to tie the knot...in three different countries.
The professional dancers will wed in London and also have wedding bashes in Aljaz’s home country of Slovenia and then with Janette’s family in the US.
Aljaz, 27, and Miami-born Janette, 33, have been dating for five years and got engaged in 2015.
Aljaz, from Ptuj in Slovenia, won Strictly with Abbey Clancy in 2013.