01 October 2023 , 09:00
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Strictly Come Dancing star Shirley Ballas has opened up about her plans for the future with her toy-boy lover Danny Taylor - and it seems marriage is not on the cards.
The 63-year-old head judge of the long-running BBC dance competition has been in a relationship with 50-year-old Danny for the past five years. And they are getting on so well, they feel like they want to keep the romance exactly as it is without putting any paperwork on it.
Shirley and Danny met while performing in panto - and the TV judge says that she appreciates their “unconventional” romance and the fact that they make it a choice to be together. She hinted that Danny had been prepared to get down on one knee, but they decided not to make things official.
Opening up to The Sun on Sunday, Shirley explained that she and Danny don’t always see each other so often as they both have busy careers, but they trust each other. She told the publication: “I think Danny and I have a very nice relationship and he is, by far, the kindest and nicest man that I have met. But we went up to the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh last year and we were all ready to go and then he didn’t seem ready.
Shirley Ballas has addressed her romance with younger actor Danny Taylor (David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
The Strictly Come Dancing judge previously shut down rumours she and Danny had split (PA)“I didn’t get a good feeling from it, so I thought, ‘Nah, it’s not for me’. It’s nice if I can come and go.”
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Shirley went on to explain that Danny’s work as an actor keeps him busy while she is currently deeply involved with all things Strictly until the end of the year. She said: “I think the last time I saw him was August, when he joined me on my week-long Skyathlon challenge for mental health charity CALM — so it has been a long time. We have a unique, unconventional relationship. It’s built on trust.”
Shirley went on to explain that they keep in contact through FaceTime and she says she is sure that neither wants anyone other than each other. She has also been encouraged by friends who tell her she “lights up” whenever he is around her.
Shirley had previously opened up about the importance of communication for her and Danny during a chat with the Mirror. She said at the time: "I don't think I do too well on the relationship side. Danny and I are always busy. But, we have have respect, we have trust, we have FaceTime so we're constantly talking to each other. I trust him, he trusts me. He's too busy, I'm too busy."
Back in August, Shirley and Danny's romance was rocked by split rumours - but the Strictly judge quickly put the reports to bed, saying online: "Danny, we're still together after four and a half years. That's miraculous. He has a very busy schedule and I have a very busy schedule.
"He's in the North and I'm in the south, but somehow we do try to make it work, so that's good. What I like most about Danny is he has a heart of gold and he puts up with my lifestyle. I am like the Tazmanian devil and I'm all over the place."