Strictly Come Dancing Icon Shirley Ballas Declares She's Done with Dating
Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas has made a firm declaration about her romantic future, stating unequivocally that she has no intention of seeking love again following her split from ex-partner Danny Taylor in 2024. The 65-year-old television personality, who has been married twice and engaged four times, explained that the emotional toll of her last relationship has left her preferring solitude over the stress of partnership.
A Relationship Marred by Constant Worry
Ballas, originally from Wirral, revealed that her six-year relationship with Danny Taylor was characterised by persistent anxiety, primarily due to his frequent disappearances. She described how these incidents would trigger painful memories of her brother David, who tragically took his own life in 2003 at the age of 44. "He was disappearing all the time," Ballas recounted in a recent interview with The Times. "It just got to a point where it was so upsetting every time it happened that I decided to call it a day."
The dancer emphasised that the emotional strain became unbearable, leading her to conclude that it is "better to be on my own than constantly worrying, stressful, about somebody else." She further criticised Taylor's behaviour, alleging that he "has done some things that are really under the table and quite unforgivable," though she did not elaborate on specifics.
A Traumatic Night That Changed Everything
Ballas shared a particularly harrowing episode that solidified her decision to end the relationship. She recalled being with her mother, Audrey, when her phone lit up with a message from a relative of Taylor's, informing her that he had vanished. "All those memories came flooding back…it triggered all these emotions," she said, referring to the trauma of her brother's death.
The situation escalated to the point where Ballas's number was passed to the police, who expressed concern over the circumstances. She spent hours frantically contacting Taylor's friends and family in an attempt to locate him. At 2 a.m., she noticed he had read her WhatsApp messages, but relief turned to anger when he reappeared the next day acting as if nothing had happened.
"I will never forget that day until the day I die," Ballas stated. "I remember looking across in the middle of the night, and I saw my mother was just so upset, reliving all of her trauma. I just thought 'this can't go on'. Not just for my sake, but my mum too." This incident made her realise she could not tolerate someone in her life who could cause such profound distress.
Current Stance on Dating and Future Prospects
Despite her firm stance against serious relationships, Ballas acknowledged that she has been on "a date or two" since the split, but she insists she is not looking for anything committed. In an interview with the Daily Mail earlier this year, she explained, "I know my truth. I know my authentic self, and if I want to go out on a date I will go. Nothing serious. No labels, no tags."
She added that she is "very careful" when going out with someone, preferring to have known them for a while beforehand. If she were ever to consider another relationship, Ballas expressed a desire for a partner who is both generous and intelligent. However, for the foreseeable future, she remains content with her single status, prioritising peace of mind over romantic entanglements.
The Mirror has approached Danny Taylor for comment on Ballas's allegations. For those struggling with emotional distress, the Samaritans offer a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123, or via email at jo@samaritans.org.
