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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Jessica Sansome

BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Shirley Ballas says she been 'up all night' as she shares emotional post

Shirley Ballas said she and her beloved mum were 'up all night' as she eagerly awaited to find out some exciting news. The Strictly Come Dancing star was watching wide awake into the early hours of Tuesday morning (November 22) to watch the BBC One show's American counterpart, Dancing with the Stars.

Her son, Mark Ballas, had made it to the final of the dance competition with TikTok star Charli D'Amelio. And Shirley was desperately watching to see if the pair lifted the Mirrorball trophy, the equivalent to Strictly's Glitterball trophy, alongside her mum, Audrey.

And it will have been worth the lack of sleep as Shirley and Audrey got to see Mark and Charlie crowned champions of Dancing with the Stars 2022. Sharing a photo of the victorious pair on Instagram, doting mum Shirley wrote: "A huge congratulations to @charlidamelio and @markballas. Champions of @dancingwiththestars Season 31. Oh my goodness. I couldn’t be any prouder of you both.

READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Kym Marsh forced out of weekend's show with automatic pass to week 11

"My mum and I stayed up all night. Your dances last night were outstanding on all levels. You rehearsed, performed and fought for that mirrorball all season long and it all payed off."

She went on to praise the DWTS winners separately, commenting: "@charlidamelio what a beautiful young lady you are. I know you have inspired and entertained so many people around the world, your dedication to the craft of dance is what you are all about. Winning is testament that the audience have fallen in love with your beautiful heart and soul."

"@markballas what can I say, I cry tears of joy to know your heart has fallen in love with dance again. Your determination to bring the best out in Charli was phenomenal. Your excellence has brought her dancing to life. Your brainstorming ideas and outstanding choreography deserve only the highest praise. Seeing you back on the dance floor has filled my heart with pride and joy. All I ever ask of you is work ethic beyond the universe. Do your very best at all times and do it with that magnificent heart of yours. You are and always have been my warrier."

Shirley, who is a head judge on Strictly in the UK, then anded her post: "Nanny and I lay waiting for the result. 10s across the board for both routines. We were so nervous for you. I so wish I could have been there. But I was cheering from the UK. You can only imagine lol. Well done darling boy. I am over the moon. Love you to the moon and back and I’m so immensely proud Xx."

And the stars of Strictly were quick to respond to Shirley's post and share their praise for Mark. Gorka Marquez shared a string of clapping emojis and said: "Congrats!!!" Giovanni Pernice wrote: " Fire! Congrats @markballas." Former Strictly star and Heart Radio host Ashley Roberts also added: "Soooooo happy for him/them!!!!"

Shirley also posted a video to her Instagram Story showing her and Audrey getting up for a whiskey after watching the final of the TV dance competition unfold. "So I've stayed up all night. It's now 3am in the morning and my son, my beautiful son, Mark and Charli just won the Mirrorball Trophy."

After choking up, she added: "Nanny and I have just got up to have a tot of Brandy because our nerves are gone. Huge congratulations to Mark for a beautiful season and to Charli for really working hard. And to all beautiful fans, Courtney, Mark and Charli fans, thank you for keeping me in the loop. You are all superstars." Ending her video, Shirley shrieked: "Oh my God," with a huge smile on her face.

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