Strictly's Shirley Ballas says she's had a change of heart about third marriage

26 June 2023 , 19:58

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Strictly's Shirley Ballas says she's had a change of heart about third marriage

Shirley Ballas says she has “changed her mind” about marrying younger man Danny Taylor.

The Strictly Come Dancing judge, 62, and West End star Danny, 50, are very much still together.

Danny even surprised Shirley with a diamond ring last year, but is yet to officially propose to his partner of five years.

Twice-married Shirley previously revealed she wanted to make Danny – who has never tied the knot before – husband number three.

She even confessed to “always giving him a nudge” to get down on one knee and make an honest woman of her.

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But it seems Shirley has had a change of heart and walking down the aisle again is no longer a priority for the TV star.

Shirley is loved-up with younger man Danny (Getty Images)

But she is no longer pushing to make him husband number three (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

“I’ve changed my mind,” she told MailOnline.

Explaining her decision, Shirley said: “I just feel that at this particular point in my life, my mother and I have got this great relationship. We want to do some travelling and there are different things we want to do.”

Shirley’s first husband was dance partner Sammy Stopford, who she tied the knot with in 1980 when she was just 18.

But just four years after saying ‘I do’ the couple went their separate ways and filed for divorce in 1984, though remain friends to this day.

Shirley’s second marriage to American ballroom dancer Corky Ballas in 1985 couldn’t have been more different.

They were wed for 22 years and had son Mark, now 37, before splitting in 2007 - but it wasn’t a happy time for Shirley.

In her 2020 memoir, Behind The Sequins, Shirley revealed Corky had “multiple girlfriends” during their relationship and fat-shamed her throughout their marriage – even when she was pregnant with their son.

Now living a happy life with partner Danny and her 85-year-old mum Audrey, who lives with her, Shirley wants to make the most of the time they have together.

Giving an insight into their relationship, Shirley said her and Audrey they like to “snuggle up in bed and watch murder mysteries”.

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And she revealed she would love to do a travel show with her mum, who “doesn’t like the camera, but give her a few brandies and she’s great”.

Katie Wilson