Strictly Judge Shirley Ballas Closes Door on Dating Following Ex-Fiancé's 'Unforgivable' Behaviour
Shirley Ballas, the esteemed head judge of Strictly Come Dancing, has publicly declared she has no intention of pursuing romantic relationships in the foreseeable future. This decision comes in the wake of her split from ex-fiancé Danny Taylor, whose actions she describes as 'quite unforgivable' and profoundly distressing.
A Relationship Marred by Disappearance and Distress
The 65-year-old television personality first met Taylor in 2018 during a pantomime performance, leading to a six-year relationship that culminated in an engagement. However, Ballas disclosed that the partnership was fraught with anxiety, primarily due to Taylor's habitual disappearances. 'I was always frightened he was going to take his own life. He was disappearing all the time,' she revealed, explaining how these episodes evoked traumatic memories of her brother David's suicide in 2003 at age 44.
In a candid interview with The Times, Ballas elaborated on her decision to end the engagement, stating, '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.' She emphasised that Taylor had done 'some things that are really under the table and quite unforgivable,' though she did not specify details, affirming her current contentment with solitude.
The Final Straw: A Birthday Nightmare
The definitive moment that sealed the relationship's demise occurred on Ballas's 64th birthday, while she was celebrating with her 87-year-old mother, Audrey. A phone call alerted her that Taylor was missing, triggering a flood of painful emotions and memories. 'All those memories came flooding back… it triggered all these emotions,' she recounted to The Mirror.
Ballas spent hours frantically contacting Taylor's friends and family, only to see he had read her worried messages by 2 a.m. without responding. His nonchalant reappearance the next day, acting as if nothing had transpired, left her infuriated. 'I will never forget that day until the day I die. I remember looking across in the middle of the night and I saw my mother was just so upset, reliving all of her trauma,' she said. 'I just thought "this can't go on". Not just for my sake, but my mum too.'
A History of Relationships and Moving Forward
Ballas's romantic history includes two marriages and four engagements. She was first engaged at 16 to ballroom partner Nigel Tiffany, then married dancer Sammy Stopford at 19, a union lasting four years before she left for America with Texan dancer Corky Ballas. Their marriage in 1985 produced son Mark and numerous dance championship wins before ending in 2007.
Since joining Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, Ballas has won viewers over with her expertise and warmth. Now, she is resolute in her stance on dating, asserting, 'No dates. I don’t want to call anyone a boyfriend or a this or a that.' She confirmed the split from Taylor in late 2024, labelling it a 'disaster,' and remains focused on her career and personal well-being, prioritising peace over partnership.
