Shirley Ballas, a prominent figure on Strictly Come Dancing, has recently opened up about her eventful past, 

including her decision to move from Wallasey to Shipley, West Yorkshire, at the age of 15. 

This move was to live with the family of her then-partner, British Ballroom Champion Nigel Tiffany. 

While the experience was challenging for the young Shirley, she has expressed that it was an important turning point in her life, 

even though she and Nigel eventually parted ways after three years. 

Despite their breakup, Shirley holds a deep affection for Nigel, revealing in a conversation on the Sliding Doors podcast that she still “loves him to bits.”

Shirley, who has won numerous championship titles in the International Latin division, acknowledges the role Nigel played in her life. She shared how, at one point, she might have had a different but equally fulfilling life with him, especially as he went on to establish his own financial services business. “I think I would have still had a good life with Nigel because he was very clever,” Shirley said, noting that he later founded Tiffany Financial Wealth Services, which still provides her with financial advice to this day.

However, their split led Shirley to a significant turning point when she was contacted by Nina Hunt, one of the most influential dance teachers of the time. Nina invited Shirley to audition for a partnership with Sammy Stopford, a leading dancer of his era. This opportunity was a game-changer for Shirley, who was initially uncertain about moving to London for the audition. Nina’s question, “Do you want to get married or dance?” helped Shirley make the life-altering decision to relocate to London and pursue her dancing career. In the process, she also began a new romantic relationship with Sammy, which would lead to their marriage when Shirley was just 18 years old. Their union lasted five years, and their most significant achievement as a couple was winning the Professional Latin title at the prestigious Blackpool Dance Festival in 1983.

Reflecting on her decision to leave Nigel and embark on a new path in London, Shirley admitted that she believes she could have been just as happy had she stayed in Yorkshire. “I’m sure I would have had a beautiful life with [Nigel],” she remarked. “It would just have been a different type of life.” However, it is clear that Shirley’s ambition and love for dancing drove her to make bold decisions that shaped her remarkable career.

In 1985, Shirley found love again with American ballroom dancer Corky Ballas. The couple married, and Shirley took on Corky’s surname, which she still uses professionally today, despite his objections. Shirley humorously recalled an incident following their divorce when Corky refused to say her name at an event where she was adjudicating. “He said it was not my name, I was not entitled to it, but I had been married for 22 years, and my son is Mark Ballas, and I’ll be damned if I’m changing it!” she said, defending her decision to keep the name that she felt was tied to her identity.

Shirley has since expressed some regret about her marriage to Corky, admitting that marrying young and going through the ups and downs of life was difficult. “If you could go back and do things again, I’d probably do things differently,” she shared. “If you’re young when you get married, it’s extremely difficult.” However, she has continued to forge her own path in the world of ballroom dancing and television, becoming a beloved judge on Strictly Come Dancing, where her expertise and candidness continue to captivate audiences.

Shirley’s career has spanned decades, and her personal journey has shaped the way she views life and relationships today. With her experiences, she offers a valuable perspective on the complexities of love, career, and personal growth. Shirley’s story, from her early struggles to her rise as a dancing icon, reminds us that every decision, no matter how difficult, plays a role in shaping who we become.

Follow us to see more useful information, as well as to give us more motivation to update more useful information for you.