Shirley Ballas
Our Head Judge is hailed as the Queen of Latin, and for good reason.
Shirley Ballas is one of the most renowned and decorated professional dancers in the world. A former British Open to the World Champion, and European, German, UK, USA and International Latin American Champion, her list of accolades is both vast and extraordinary.
Strictly is so loved by the British public, I have always been a massive fan.Shirley Ballas
Born and raised in Wallasey, by the age of 21 Shirley had won nearly every major title she competed in. To this day, she remains the only person to have ever won the British Open to the World Latin American Championships in Blackpool with two different partners, and has reached the finals an impressive 17 times. She is also still the youngest ever female to reach the British Open to the World Dance Championship finals.
In 1996, Shirley retired from competitive dancing, becoming the highly acclaimed and respected international coach she is today, as well as being one of the most sought-after Ballroom and Latin American competition judges in the world. She’s also mother to musician and Broadway star Mark Balls, as well as being guardian to Dancing with the Stars professionals Julianne and Derek Hough during their childhood in London.
With such an incredible, decade-spanning career under her belt, Shirley Ballas makes the perfect addition to Strictly’s stellar judging panel.
