Strictly’s judge is ‘cursed’
Dancing queen’s husband stolen by sexy Kristina
NEW Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has already been struck by the show’s love curse, which left her marriage in tatters.
STRICTLY Come Dancing’s bitchy new judge has already been struck by the show’s love curse.
“Queen of Latin” Shirley Ballas has beaten dance rivals Anton du Beke and Brendan Cole to replace Len Goodman as head judge.
But she has already seen its infamous curse shatter her personal life.
Kristina Rihanoff, a former Strictly pro dancer, ran off with her husband Corky Ballas in 2003.
The pair grew close as he taught her to dance and it ruined Shirley’s marriage.
Corky shacked up with the racy Russian for five years and after they split up, Kristina got together with rugby hunk Ben Cohen during the 2013 series.
The former England star later split from wife Abby Blayney.
Shirley, 56, is an expert in Latin dancing and helped train some of the biggest names in dance.
And she will use that experience to deliver killer verdicts on this year’s celebrity stars.
She 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’ve always been a huge fan.”
But Shirley’s appointment is expected to put a few noses out of joint.
Fans also hit out about the appointment, with one commenting: “Should have been Anton Du Beke – who is this woman anyway, anyone else heard of her?”
Another added: “That’s the show ruined.”
But Charlotte Moore, director of BBC content, said: “Len’s are big shoes to fill but the ‘Queen of Latin’ is the ideal new Strictly judge.
“Shirley is a British ballroom expert whose credentials speak for themselves.”
Last night fellow judge Darcey Bussell said: “I’m sure she will be a great addition to our judging panel.”
And Craig Revel Horwood said that Shirley’s appointment was “fantastic news”.