Shirley Ballas, the head judge of Strictly Come Dancing, has revealed that she has no intention of dating again following her split from ex-fiance Danny Taylor, after he did “quite unforgivable things.”
In a candid new interview, the 65-year-old shared how she found herself “constantly worrying” during their six-year relationship, leading her to ultimately end their engagement in late 2024.
Shirley admitted that she has no interest in calling anyone her “boyfriend” and revealed she is happier being single. She explained that Danny’s behavior—particularly his tendency to disappear for long periods—triggered painful memories of when her brother David tragically died by suicide in 2003. She said she was always fearful he might take his own life, and his constant absences only added to her anxiety.
Reflecting on their final days together, Shirley explained: “It just got to a point where it was so upsetting every time it happened, that I just decided to call it a day. It’s better to be on my own than constantly worrying, stressful, about somebody else.”
Shirley spoke out about her ex’s actions, saying, “He’s done some things that are really under the table and quite unforgivable. But I’m ok at the moment. No dates. I don’t want to call anyone a boyfriend or a this or a that.”
A Lifetime of Relationships
Shirley’s love life has certainly had its share of ups and downs. She was first engaged at the age of 16 to her ballroom partner, Nigel Tiffany. Her first marriage was to ballroom dancer Sammy Stopford, but they parted ways after just four years.
Shirley then married Texan dancer Corky Ballas in 1985, with whom she had her son Mark. Their marriage also ended in 2007 after years of success in the ballroom dance world.
Despite her romantic history, Shirley remained hopeful for love again after meeting Danny in 2018. However, their relationship became increasingly difficult as Danny’s disappearances took a toll on her mental and emotional well-being.
The Breaking Point
One of the most painful moments for Shirley was when Danny went missing just before her 64th birthday. She was with her 87-year-old mother, Audrey, when she received the call that Danny had vanished. The experience triggered past trauma, bringing back memories of her brother’s death.
“I was trying to track him down, calling around all his friends and family,” Shirley recalled. “By 2am, I saw he’d read my worried messages. But when he reappeared the next day, he acted as if nothing had happened.”
For Shirley, that moment made her realize that the relationship could not continue. “I will never forget that day,” she said. “I remember looking at my mother, and she was so upset, reliving her own trauma. I just thought, ‘This can’t go on.’ Not just for my sake, but my mum’s too.”
Looking to the Future
Now, with her love life firmly on the backburner, Shirley is focusing on herself and her career. Since joining Strictly Come Dancing as the head judge in 2017, she’s won viewers over with her expert knowledge, strict standards, and warm Scouse charm.
As for her future in love, Shirley made it clear that she’s not actively searching for a new partner anytime soon. “No dates,” she affirmed, expressing that she’s content with her current situation. Shirley seems to be in a good place, having learned valuable lessons from her past relationships, and for now, her focus is on her own well-being and her family.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/
