Shirley Ballas did not breach official rules when her judging marks helped advance rumoured boyfriend Guiseppe Nonnis through a prestigious ballroom competition, organisers have determined.
The International Championships, now part of the International Dance Festival and considered the 'Olympics of ballroom dancing', were held at the Royal Albert Hall this week, with Shirley, 66, serving as a judge for the Professional Latin. She awarded 'recalls' to Guiseppe, 36, and his professional partner Lele Khutsishvili in every dance style during the competition, according to The Sun. These are marks judges can give to a couple to advance them to the next round, with each judge holding five. All of Shirley's went to the pair in the cha cha cha, samba, jive, rumba and paso doble.
Complaints over personal relationship
Despite her support, the professional couple finished ninth in the semi-final, receiving 29 out of a possible 95 marks.
Shirley's role as a judge in the Professional Latin had been questioned after rumours of her close personal relationship with Guiseppe led to complaints. The Sun reported that complaints suggested it contravened British Dance Council Rule 65, which states a competitor cannot take part if immediate family or a member of the same household is on the adjudicating panel. The outlet claimed that as Italian dancer Guiseppe has reportedly been staying at Shirley's home when he is in the UK, he falls into this category. He was also, the outlet claimed, spotted behind the wheel of Shirley's £100,000 Porsche last month.
Organisers find no breach
Sources close to the TV star insisted that Guiseppe 'does not live with her and that they do not share a household, so there is no breach of the rules', according to the publication. Subsequently, organisers agreed and determined that there had been no rule-breaking.
The friendship between the pair has also sparked rumours of romance, with Guiseppe's ex-fiancée, Daria Chesnokova, saying it would be the 'ultimate betrayal'. The couple had been engaged since 2021 until they split last year.
'I don't want her to take my man,' Dasha previously told The Sun, adding: 'Shirley was my mentor for nearly two decades. I have looked up to her for years. And I introduced her to Giuseppe. If they were together, I would be so hurt.' Having known her for a long time and been 'like a dance mum to me', Dasha added of their possible relationship: 'It would be like your mum taking your boyfriend.'
Shirley has been single since her split from fiancé Danny Taylor in 2024.
Strictly leaderboard update
On last night's Strictly episode, the 14 remaining couples took to the floor again, with Australian singer Delta Goodrem and partner Kai Widdrington topping the leaderboard after two weeks in second place. They were given a score of 33 for their salsa, with judge Anton Du Beke saying she was 'setting a very high bar' this season, while Craig Revel Horwood called her performance 'amazing'. Olympian Tabby Stoecker was told by judge Motsi Mabuse that she was the 'dark horse' of the competition, after receiving 31 points for her Argentine tango with partner Mark Karmalita and coming in second.
Metro has contacted a rep for Shirley Ballas for comment.
