Strictlys Shirley Ballas says she was pushing it after calling off engagement

Shirley Ballas poses with her ‘new partner’ in Blackpool

Strictly Come Dancing star Shirley Ballas has admitted she was “pushing it” when it came to wanting to get married to partner Danny Taylor. In a new interview, the 63-year-old TV judge addressed “calling off their engagement” following speculation from fans.

Shirley started dating the 50-year-old actor back in 2019, with the BBC favourite previously admitting that she was waiting to get engaged. However, despite the star being spotted sporting a diamond ring on her left hand earlier this year, Strictly’s head judge has since changed her views on marriage.

Speaking to OK! Magazine, Shirley candidly discussed their called-off engagement. She said: “There was a point there where I wanted to get married.

“I was pushing it, pushing it, pushing it, pushing it – and then there was one point where it was clear and obvious it was just me. So for me, marriage is off the table for now.”

Her partner Danny agreed that marriage is currently on the back burner, with the pair agreeing it’s nice to enjoy time together without the pressure of having to plan a wedding. Shirley went on to describe her previous marriages, which she admitted she had entered into a bit too hastily.

READ MORE: Annabel Croft lifts lid on Strictly ‘malfunction’ as she speaks out on exit

“I have a tendency to jump into marriage,” she reflected. “I thought I needed somebody, but I only need to rely on myself.”

Shirley was previously married to fellow professional dancer Corky Ballas, with whom she famously competed in some of the world’s biggest dance competitions.

The pair were married between 1985 and 2007, becoming a famous couple in the dance world and winning several Latin dance championship titles.

In 1986 they also welcomed their only son Mark Ballas, who has taken after his parents to become a professional dancer on US programme Dancing With The Stars.

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However, in her autobiography Behind the Sequins, Shirley revealed that the pair experienced some tough times in their marriage, with Corkly allegedly controlling what she ate.

Before Shirley wed Corky, she also described how she had endured a turbulent marriage with first husband Sammy Stopford, whom she married when she was just 17 years old.

Strictly Come Dancing: The Final airs this Saturday at 7pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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