When the curtain came down on Strictly Come Dancing last Christmas, nobody expected the show to be still making the headlines six months later - let alone head judge Shirley Ballas.
But Shirley has now weighed back into the Giovanni Pernice scandal - and despite standing by the under-fire dancer and even partying with him on Sunday night, the head judge has assured fans Strictly will go on unscathed....whatever the outcome of the investigation.
In fact, Shirley believes the show can continue to be a success without any one of its talent - and no one will be missed so much it will affect its popularity.
It's quite the statement from the head judge ahead of this year's BBC1 show, which is currently recruiting its new crop of contestants. As this will be the show's 20th anniversary year, show bosses are promising a list of high profile celebrity names, including hints of a possible Royal Family member, plus a host of surprises.
So whatever the outcome of the claims against embattled Giovanni may be, Shirley insists the “show must go on”.
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She told us: “You have to remember Strictly is a well-oiled machine. The show moves on with or without me, with or without anybody.
“It is the best-oiled machine. In television you could be here today and gone tomorrow. Really, it is that fast.”
Shirley Ballas on a night out with Stricty pro Giovanni Pernice (Hewitt / SplashNews.com)
Shirley has spoken out about Gio in the past (BBC/Ray Burmiston)Shirley, 63, threw her public support behind Giovanni last week - labelling him “a perfect gentleman” - saying she never witnessed anything untoward by him as she backed him at a launch to mark the release of her first paperback novel Murder on the Dancefloor.
Gio, 33, is facing complaints from a string of former contestants, including his 2024 partner, actress Amanda Abbington who quit the show last year after just five weeks. Gio, who is currently on a UK tour with Strictly judge Anton du Beke, denies all the claims.
But at the weekend, Shirley doubled down on her support for Gio by inviting him to her private summer party alongside Anton.
Like many fans, Shirley hopes the “truth will come out” amid an ongoing BBC investigation concerning Gio’s behaviour.
But whatever happens, Shirley is looking forward to the return of Strictly, saying Giovanni will be a tough act to follow after he wowed the judges to win in 2021 alongside deaf actress, and former EastEnders star, Rose Ayling-Ellis.
She said: “One of my favourite couples was Rose and Giovanni. They will forever be a part of that show and it was a well deserved win - just a beautiful partnership.
“Every week they came on it was just beautiful. Long after I have finished I think I will remember those performances the most.”
Gio Pernice and Rose Ayling-Ellis on Strictly (DIGITAL/EROTEME.CO.UK)Since taking up dancing since the age of seven, Shirley has experienced all sides of the competitive dance world - the good and the bad.
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She's been vocal on the issue of bullying and coercive control in the industry. And despite years of speaking out, feels there is still a lot of work to be done.
Speaking in greater depth at her book launch she said: “It (the dance world) is male run, if you look at the presidents of the different societies or some of the big studios. They are all headed by men and not many women.
“When I got the (Strictly) job in 2017 the bullying ceased a bit because I started to talk about it. I never name names. I don't believe in that. I chat to them and say 'I hope you don’t do that to somebody else and put them through it' - but they still do."
Outside of her Strictly bubble, Shirley is still involved with the competitive dance world and has had dancers come to her from other backgrounds, having had their self-esteem hugely affected.
“I see people come in for their (general ballroom) lessons and they are crying because somebody said 'You are too fat, too ugly, too short, your legs are this or your feet are turned in, you are never going to make a dancer'," she says. "They are people who squash people’s dreams. I am not a lover of that.
“People don’t want to talk about it but it is prevalent every single day in my industry. I will get in trouble for saying that but it is true.”
Shirley Ballas as a young dancerShirley’s new novel depicts secrets she has picked up on the dancefloor over the years and takes swipes at certain bullies she has encountered.
Ever the pro, Shirley keeps her lips sealed over who has crossed her over the years - saying the only person who knows the truth is her adoring, but tough cookie, mother Audrey who she now shares her life and home with.
Shirley, who was brought up by her single parent mother in Wallasey, the Wirral, says: “My mother has lived with me three years this Christmas.
“She moved in with me and she moved in all her ornaments. She is 87. Do you know how many ornaments she has got? It is like a shop. I have had to move all of my stuff out. My stuff is in boxes as I am not attached to anything materialistic.
“She runs the ship. My mother had cancer which is in remission but she continues to smoke and wont listen to the doctor.”
Shirley Ballas and mother Audrey Rich sparkle on a festive night out together (Getty)Shirley says her mother is her toughest critic. Especially when it comes to Shirley's budding literary career. The dancer released her memoir Shirley Ballas: Behind The Sequins in 2020. But her tales had her lawyers in such a panic, she decided her next book would be a foray into fiction.
“I wanted to write my autobiography. But my publisher said 'No, you cant talk about that', 'you cant do that'. So I wrote what I could write with all the legalities," she says. . "It was my mother who said I should write a novel [as well] so it is based on backstabbing and intrigue!"
But her mum was less keen on the novel when she read a very steamy love scene Shirley had included.
“When my mother read it she was like 'Oh you cant say that!' It was like an orgasm," says Shirley. "We had to cut five chapters.
“We had a lot of laughs. [It] is definitely not for people under the age of 18!”
Shirley will have to tear herself away from her mother in September when filming for the new series of Strictly stars.
Early filming will see the Strictly professionals paired up with their celebrity contestants before the famous couples are revealed at the annual BBC1 launch show before training begins.
The Strictly judges have lots of fun backstage - including impromptu dressing room dance sessions - according to Shirley (PA)Shirley already has an inkling who is being lined up for this year’s series but says she has the best time when she is reunited with her Strictly family, including hosts Claudia Winkleman, Tess Daly and fellow judges Anton du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse.
This year will also see the return of pro dancer Amy Dowden who is making her comeback after beating breast cancer.
Speaking of her return, Shirley gushes: “First of all huge congratulations to Amy. I have known her since she was a little girl. Amy is coming back to Strictly. She certainly is. It is very exciting. We are very excited and she is thrilled.”
As for the rest of the Strictly gang, she laughs: “Claudia is as mad as a box of frogs. I have a changing room next to Tess and Claudia. Motsi is one side and Tess and Claudia are on the other. There is always laughter on Tess and Claudia’s side and on Motsi’s side she has the boom box. She will say “Come on baby” and she will start shaking it. All the women are supportive of each other.
“I love Craig. And as for Anton, before the show sometimes we sometimes dance in our slippers. Sometimes he will come to my room in just his T-shirt and pants you know. He is just a wonderful guy. It is nice to feel so loved and they will do anything for you. It is a lovely bond.”
- * Shirley Ballas’s new novel Murder on the Dancefloor is out now in paperback. Available from Amazon.co.uk. Her next novel in the Sequins Mystery series, Dead To The Death is out in October.
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