Strictly's Shirley Ballas on leaving the show - 'I’ve got memories to take with me'
Shirley Ballas samba-ed her way onto the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom to make her debut as the show's head judge eight years ago and is now just as well known for her clever critiquing as she is her incredible style. But as she continues to raise her paddle every week in the BBC's special anniversary series, she exclusively chats to OK! about her life after Strictly, as well as her show highlights.
Despite being landed with the tough job of having the final say on who to send home on a Sunday night, the 64-year-old Merseyside-born star says she doesn't feel any sort of performance anxiety. "I don’t feel any pressure when I’m on Strictly because, let’s say if they didn’t renew my contract and I wasn’t on it next year, I would be so eternally grateful for the eight series that I’ve had,” she says.
Shirley joined the series in 2017 after Len Goodman's departure left an empty seat on the judging panel, alongside Craig Revel-Horwood, Bruno Tonioli and Darcey Bussell. Despite all the recent controversy surrounding the series, which included allegations of backstage bullying and a subsequent internal BBC investigation, the former Latin American champion says she has never had experienced anything unpleasant backstage.
READ MORE:Shirley Ballas opens up on shocking secret health battle amid struggle in 'dark times'
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“I have experienced nothing but beautiful souls who have always been there for me in dark times, when it comes to the social media or press or whatever. I’ve got memories to take with me and that’s what life’s about. Life is about building those memories and Strictly Come Dancing has definitely given me those.”
Chatting to OK! as part of her new role as ambassador for Always Discreet's Squeeze the Day campaign - to encourage women to do their pelvic floors and break the taboo surrounding bladder leaks - Shirley also opened up about some of the highlights of her time on the show and why one now infamous celebrity performance will forever be etched in her memory.
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"“Ann Widdecombe, who I love, because she was at my first interview when I went to get the job. They told me, ‘You’ve got 15 seconds to comment on the people that will flash up on the screen.’ Then Ann Widdecombe flashed up and she was cleaning the floor in a yellow dress. I was lost for words, it was the first time in my life I’ve been tongue-tied!
"And also Kelvin Fletcher. He wasn’t supposed to be on the show but I think Jamie Laing had hurt his foot at the last minute, so Kelvin stepped in at the last minute and danced the samba… I’ve never seen a man dance a samba like that in my entire life!”
November is Bladder Health Awareness Month and Always Discreet has partnered with TV Judge and International Dance Champion, Shirley Ballas for its Squeeze The Day campaign. Visit alwaysdiscreet.co.uk/en-gb/squeeze-the-day
