Shirley Ballas and mother Audrey on dance, discipline, and living together
Shirley Ballas, 66, is a three-time British Professional Latin Champion and Strictly Come Dancing judge. She lives in London with her mother Audrey, 90, who has COPD. Ballas supports the Breathe Equal campaign with Sanofi. Audrey raised Shirley and her brother alone after divorce, working multiple jobs to fund Shirley's dance lessons. Shirley left home at 14 to live with her first dance partner's family. She married at 18 and 22; neither marriage lasted. Before Strictly, she was bullied in the male-dominated dance industry. Audrey was diagnosed with COPD in 2022 but still smokes and plans her funeral. Shirley credits her mother's work ethic and sacrifice for her success.
Key facts
- Shirley Ballas was born in Wallasey (now Merseyside) in 1960.
- She is a three-time winner of the British Professional Latin Championship (Open to the World).
- She retired from competitive dancing in 1996 to become a teacher and adjudicator.
- In 2017, she joined BBC's Strictly Come Dancing as a judge.
- She lives in London with her mother Audrey, who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Ballas supports the Breathe Equal campaign with Sanofi to raise awareness of COPD.
- Audrey was diagnosed with COPD in 2022 and still smokes.
- Audrey will be 90 next year and is in remission from cancer.
Entities
Artists
- Shirley Ballas
- Nigel Tiffany
- Sammy Stopford
- Corkey Ballas
Institutions
- BBC
- Strictly Come Dancing
- Sanofi
- Breathe Equal campaign
Locations
- Wallasey
- Merseyside
- London
- Hawaii