Strictly Come Dancing's head judge, Shirley Ballas, has revealed a surprising personal rejection that had nothing to do with the dance floor. The 63-year-old TV personality confessed she was turned down by Raya, the notoriously exclusive dating app favoured by celebrities and influencers.
In a candid revelation on her podcast, The Strictly Come Dancing Podcast, Shirley shared the story with her partner, actor Danny Taylor. The twist? While she was denied access to the elite digital dating pool, Danny was accepted with open arms.
The Mysterious World of Raya
Often described as the 'Illuminati of dating apps,' Raya operates on an opaque and highly selective membership committee process. Acceptance is rumoured to require a combination of industry status, social influence, and attractiveness, with even A-list celebrities sometimes failing to make the cut.
Shirley's experience highlights the app's enigmatic criteria. "I applied to Raya and I got rejected," she stated bluntly. "And then Danny applied to Raya and he got on."
A Light-Hearted Reaction
Rather than being offended, Shirley and Danny treated the situation with humour. Danny jokingly questioned the app's standards, quipping that his acceptance must have been a mistake, while Shirley took it in her stride.
The couple, who have been together since 2019 after meeting in a pantomime production of Jack and the Beanstalk, proved that a digital rejection means little when you've already found love offline. Their story offers a glimpse into the often-absurd world of high-status dating apps and the arbitrary nature of their exclusivity.
