Shirley Ballas says she’s Strictly the happiest she’s ever been with her lover from Liverpool – as she opens up about her new relationship for the first time.
The BBC dance show judge, 58, has been dating actor Daniel Taylor – 14 years her junior – after meeting last year when they appeared in panto in her home city.
Twice divorced Shirley, single for six years, beamed as she told how she’s never felt love like it.
“It’s hard to find somebody who’s compatible with you,” she says. “I feel like I’ve come full circle and I’ve found somebody.
“It’s great to have found him after being single for so long. When we did our first job together he was like ‘Shirley who?’
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“He’d never watched Strictly, knew nothing about me. It’s been a warm experience.”
The pair met while starring in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Liverpool Empire. Shirley says she’s introduced Daniel, 44, to her family – and they all approve.
“The whole family and my friends love him. He has the same profession as my son, Mark. They’re both actors.
“Somebody once said to me, are you happy? I said what is happy? All I can say now is if this is what happiness is I’ve never experienced it,” she adds.
Speaking at the LGBT Awards at the Marriot Hotel Grosvenor Square, London on Friday night, Shirley also spoke of her excitement at finally moving into her new London home.
“I’ve been living out of a suitcase for two years. I move in in two weeks. The first thing I’ll do when I go in is sit and cry because it’s taken so long. Everything had to be rebuilt. It’s been a long process and I’ve felt homeless.”
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But she beams: “I’ve got a boyfriend, I’ve got my home, I’m setting everything up.”
Looking ahead to the next series of Strictly, Shirley hinted she could have a say on Darcey Bussell’s replacement and that it could be an unknown name.
“I was so fortunate to get the job at a late age especially with no TV experience. The next person may be a surprise, like I was,” she teased.
