Strictly Come Dancing's Shirley Ballas says she's 'lonely' as she makes marriage decision

Shirley Ballas admits she has no plans to tie the knot again but confesses to experiencing bouts of loneliness. The 65-year-old first wed Sammy Stopford back in 1980.

The pair achieved the top ranking globally in Professional Latin dancing. Nevertheless, they parted ways in 1984, with Shirley having begun partnering with American dancer Corky Ballas.

Shirley and Corky exchanged vows twelve months later, before welcoming son Mark in 1986, reports Wales Online. Yet their union concluded in an acrimonious divorce following claims of cheating.

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The Strictly Come Dancing head judge encountered actor Danny Taylor, her junior by 13 years, during a pantomime production. Romance quickly flourished between them, though they eventually ended their six-year relationship in 2024.

In her latest autobiography, Best Foot Forward, Shirley reveals she'd now favour dating someone nearer her own age rather than a younger "toyboy".

She explains she desires her future partner to be "financially independent" and "completely unattached".

This follows Shirley's recent unsuccessful attempt to join elite dating platform Raya, having acknowledged she occasionally feels "lonely".

She revealed: "The age bracket I've gone for is fairly broad but not too young - I think my 'toyboy' days are behind me.

"I think anything from 55 to 70 if they're fit. Up to 98 if they're loaded. Just joking."

Shirley acknowledges she's endured numerous romantic mishaps throughout the years. This has resulted in her becoming doubtful about walking down the aisle once more.

She went on to say: "I won't marry again, I can tell you that now. Been there, done that, too many disasters to my name. Call me a cynic, but I struggle to believe that anything is forever."

Shirley now spends much of her time with her mother, Audrey, but admits she misses having a companion to go out with. She added: "I miss the closeness and the affection and the little squeezes."

She further stated: "I get lonely. Mind you, I can be in the most crowded room and still feel lonely."

While she confesses to missing the companionship of sharing the highs and lows of her day with someone, she's not eager to jump into a new relationship.

"I don't think I'll ever have another relationship, but if I did, it would have to be with somebody that was much more calm and saw us growing in the same direction," Shirley told the Mirror.

She continued: "But that doesn't mean that those six years I had with Danny, I didn't adore him. I just didn't really have a choice."

Shirley's past experiences have led her to lose faith in love, though she admits she still has "desire and passion". She concludes by saying she wants someone to look at her and think "Oh, you look nice".