Strictly Come Dancing's head judge Shirley Ballas has declared she is open to finding love again, more than a year after her split from former fiancé Danny Taylor. The 65-year-old dance expert, however, insists she is now approaching romance with a new level of caution and has a clear list of non-negotiable qualities she seeks in a potential partner.
What Shirley Ballas is looking for in a man
In a candid interview, Shirley Ballas outlined the specific characteristics that are important to her. "Humour. I like somebody with some intellect. Generosity, too," she stated. The dancer, who has spent much of the past year caring for her 88-year-old mother Audrey, admitted she has always been the one to pay for everything, so a gesture of generosity is particularly meaningful. "It's actually quite nice when they say, 'No, I've got this.' I think, 'Oh, this is nice.'" She also values a partner who is smart, well-kept, and takes care of themselves.
Ballas confirmed she has been on a few casual dates since her break-up, but emphasised nothing is serious. "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 explained. She added that she is "very careful" and will only go out with someone she has known for a while.
Reflecting on her past relationship with Danny Taylor
Shirley Ballas and actor Danny Taylor, 52, ended their relationship in November 2024, three years after announcing their engagement. The couple first met in 2018 while starring in a pantomime production of Jack and the Beanstalk. Their romance blossomed as Taylor, a trained ballroom dancer with acting roles in Brookside and The Bill, shared her passion for performance.
Speaking about the early days of their relationship, Ballas revealed she fell in love first. "I think for me it was [at] first sight. He was going through a difficult time in his relationship. We did become friends and then probably in about February I said, 'I love you Danny' and he said, 'I know'. It took a while," she recalled.
By August 2025, Shirley opened up about the reasons behind their split, telling The Mirror that they "weren't growing together anymore." She confessed to showering him with gifts in an attempt to show her love, but ultimately needed peace from the worries in his life. "I already have a lot of things to worry about. I just needed some peace," she said.
A history of love and dance
Before her relationship with Danny Taylor, Shirley Ballas was married twice, both times to fellow dancers. She was first married to her dance partner Sammy Stopford in 1980, divorcing four years later. Her second, more fiery marriage was to Corky Ballas, with whom she shares her son, Mark. That union ended in 2007 amid allegations of infidelity. Her first engagement was at just 16 years old to her original dance partner, Nigel Tiffany, with whom she remains friends today.
Now, as she settles into her role as the formidable head judge on the BBC's flagship dance show, replacing the late Len Goodman, Shirley Ballas is stepping back into the dating world on her own terms—with clarity, caution, and a clear idea of what makes the perfect partner.
