Shirley Ballas

Shirley Ballas
Ballas in 2020
Born
Shirley Annette Rich

(1960-09-06) 6 September 1960 (age 64)
Wallasey, England
Other namesQueen of Latin
Occupation(s)Dancer, dance teacher and dance adjudicator
Known forStrictly Come Dancing
Spouses
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(m. 1980; div. 1984)​
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(m. 1985; div. 2007)​
ChildrenMark Ballas

Shirley Annette Ballas (née Rich, formerly Stopford; born 6 September 1960)[1] is an English ballroom dancer, dance teacher, and dance adjudicator. She specialises in the International Latin division, where she won several championship titles which earned her the nickname the Queen of Latin.[2]

In 2017, Ballas was appointed head judge on the BBC TV show, Strictly Come Dancing following the departure of Len Goodman.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference shirleybio was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Welcome 'The Queen of Latin' Shirley Ballas, to our judging panel". BBC One. 9 May 2017. Archived from the original on 30 September 2017. Retrieved 30 September 2017.