Shirley Ballas, head judge on Strictly Come Dancing, has broken her silence on speculation surrounding her relationship with partner Danny Taylor, addressing recent rumours about their supposed split with a confident six-word declaration: “Danny and I are still together.”
As preparations begin for the next season of Strictly, Shirley remains adamant that her relationship with Danny is stronger than ever. In an interview with The Mirror, she reassured fans that, despite previous admissions of hesitation around marriage, the couple is going strong. “Contrary to anything you might read, we are still together,” she stated firmly, before adding playfully, “Who knows [if we’ll get married].”
Shirley had previously revealed she had “changed her mind” about tying the knot again following two failed marriages. In an earlier podcast appearance, she recounted a difficult breakup that happened just before a planned cruise holiday. Reflecting on the moment, she recalled sitting distraught in a bar with her mother, only to receive a literal wake-up call: “She gave me a huge slap across my face… and said, ‘You will not ruin my holiday, get over yourself.'” That moment, along with a string of romantic disappointments, led Shirley to a clear conclusion: “Two marriages, an engagement, two long-term relationships later, and I will not be getting married again. I’ve made the decision.”
Despite her past experiences, Shirley’s bond with Danny has remained strong since the couple first crossed paths in 2019 while performing in a Christmas pantomime. Their romance blossomed slowly, as Shirley explained: “We met on panto as friends. It didn’t really take off until March… for him. I fell in love way before. I think for me, it was love at first sight.” She went on to describe how Danny had been navigating a difficult period in a previous relationship at the time, and the two formed a friendship that eventually deepened into love. “Probably in about February I said, ‘I love you, Danny,’ and he said, ‘I know.’ It took a while.”
In addition to her relationship, Shirley also spoke warmly about becoming a grandmother. Her son, professional dancer Mark Ballas, recently welcomed a baby boy named Banksi Wylde Ballas. Despite living far apart, Shirley says she maintains a close bond with her grandson. “I just want to spend more time with him,” she said. “I see him every day on FaceTime—he’s crawling now! The world feels so much smaller now. With FaceTime and some good planning, I can fly out there, or Mark can come here.”
Though Shirley remains uncertain about ever marrying again, she seems content with the life and love she currently enjoys. Both her romantic and family relationships appear to be in a good place, with Shirley embracing the joys of grandparenthood and the stability of her partnership with Danny—even in the face of tabloid speculation.