Strictly Shirley

be who you are. You’re a north of England lass and you speak your mind – that’s why you’re the busiest teacher in the world, and the audience wants to see that real person. They might be cross with you or love you, Strictly but you have to be authentic.’” As for her fellow judges, she’s “very excited to work with those naughty boys – Bruno with his arms all over New judge Shirley Ballas Shirley the place and Craig, who’s just a talks delight. Darcey’s a beautiful person with Marianka Swain and her dance experience is second to none – it’ll be wonderful to share my experience with her and vice versa. didn’t tell anybody a thing It’s a fun, fun panel, and let’s see if “ until I knew I had it,” reveals I can bring those boys to heel!” I Shirley Ballas, who succeeds Shirley’s also conscious that she’s as head judge on Strictly now the judge representing the Come Dancing. “It was difficult, but I technical ballroom world. “If I could knew many brilliant people went for have a mandatory ten seconds of the role, and the BBC had to do their basic steps in every routine, I would. due diligence.” Shirley was more of In our world, you have to dance a surprise choice, but one instantly one minute of basics even at world welcomed by the dance industry. Born championships. I want to see those in Wallasey, Merseyside, the “Queen recognisable figures, danced correctly, of Latin” had an incredibly successful that you can point out to the audience. career partnering Sammy Stopford “If I went to Darcey and said I’d and then Corky Ballas, and has since like to dance ballet, but I don’t want consulted on in to do first, second, third, fourth the US – which features her son Mark. positions, I just want to do Swan She’s particularly thrilled to be Lake, she’d think that was crazy. You joining Strictly, “the one that started need basics with creativity in order to everything. I’ve watched lots of friends build a connection in ballroom – and on the show, and it’s extremely creative, when the chemistry comes out, the the costuming’s outstanding, and it’s audience feels what you’re dancing.” much more of a family.” Shirley is also Shirley certainly didn’t lack delighted to be “coming home – I’ve chemistry with her partners. What had my bags packed since March! I was advice would she give our Strictly a huge fan of the original Come Dancing, first day to their last. I won’t hold couples? “You need to bring something and I learned a lot being part of that past mistakes against them; it’s about from your inner soul. It’s not easy, with Sammy, so it all feels meant to be.” what they produce that week.” especially when you’ve just met. As a highly respected ballroom How will she handle offering Chemistry grows like a love affair – adjudicator and coach, will Shirley critiques in front of millions of viewers? you meet, you go on a date, second be a tough judge on Strictly? “I love “One of my great strengths is taking date and so on. It’s a process. If creativity and people thinking outside difficult technical ideas and putting you do have it naturally you’re in the box – as long as it’s balanced with them in layman’s terms, so the general good shape, but if not, you might very, very good technique. Technique person watching understands. Dancers have to fake it till you make it!” isn’t just legs and feet, it’s how you’re and non-dancers share in this show, She has high praise for Strictly’s pros. moving through space and using your so I want people to get me and know “They’re all well trained, dedicated inner core and body to express the what I’m trying to tell that celebrity. teachers, and the balance of the show dance. I’ll be looking at everything. If they don’t understand, it becomes is really very good, but I’ll be grilling “Ed Balls was absolutely fascinating: boring. I want to be constructive and them on those basic fundamentals a non-dancer who went in without a also very encouraging, but if they – just one cucaracha or set of rumba lot of confidence and came out shining come back the following week and walks shows that musicality or style. ➣ as this wonderful entertainer. So I can no attention has been paid to my be forgiving of some shortcomings comments, the talons might come out!” if they make it up in other ways. I’m Main: Shirley Ballas dancing on the first show also interested in finding out who t sounds like she’s taking the of the 2017 series of Strictly Come Dancing. they are, what their lives are about I advice of son Mark when it comes Opposite: Shirley and Corky Ballas on the cover – the journey that evolves from their to television. “He said ‘You must of Ballroom Dancing Times in June 1993.

74 • DANCING TIMES Main photograph: GUY LEVY, courtesy of the BBC. Above DANCING TIMES ARCHIVE. WWW.DANCING-TIMES.CO.UK • OCTOBER 2017 • 75 Strictly Shirley

the dance, you can push ballroom and find something beautiful.” Travelling around the world, Shirley’s seen the “Strictly effect” in action, with “social classes off the charts. The show gets people through the door – then it’s up to studio owners to make it work, but it’s fantastic to see the wide range of people falling in love with dance. I’ve been watching Strictly with my auntie, and even she’s getting up and wiggling her hips! The more it’s out there, for health, entertainment, happiness, it’s a brilliant thing.” Though thrilled with her new judging role, Shirley “honestly never expected it. I thought Len would be replaced with another gentleman – and those are hard shoes to fill, this iconic man I’ve known all my life. I’m delighted that any woman going for a high- powered job can see dreams do come true. With Tess and Claudia too, and joining Darcey, it’s amazing for women! Lots of us are more in the background – I’ve spent a long time watching my kids and helping other couples forge their path. To have the opportunity myself to share my experience with the I’ll be looking for heel turns, foot Above: Shirley Ballas. Inset: Shirley wider public does make me tear up.” with the other Strictly judges. brushing, arm placement. In ballroom Will she be nervous? “I’m going to you hide the weakness and showcase go out there believing in my heart that the strength, but keep working on the the least practised dance because it’s I’m in someone’s living room, talking weakness too.” Might we see a full exertive, and people tend to wing it, directly to them. It’s very exciting, demonstration from Shirley, who made but in its own way the technique is and I really will do my best to bring a dancing entrance on the launch show? just as difficult as cha cha or samba.” something fun, educational, loving, “I don’t know! My children have a hard As for music, “I love meaningful and hopefully be a good influence for time keeping up with me. I’d quite pieces, with the dance really anyone who wants to be inspired.” ■ like to do a little twirl with Darcey.” embodying the song. Sometimes it’s OK to dance to the words and not the f the Latin dances, “I was known beat, if it’s artistic. Personally I’m a O for my spins and quality of golden oldie – I like Tom Jones. I’m Marianka Swain’s blog Strictly movement in rumba, and jive has a not a lover of the boom boom bang Speaking is back on dancing-times. special place in my heart, as Corky bang tracks with no purpose, but if co.uk, with coverage of every dance and I were very successful in it. It’s it’s well interpreted and it works with and every decision of the new series.

All photographs: RAY BURMISTON, courtesy of the BBC. WWW.DANCING-TIMES.CO.UK • OCTOBER 2017 • 77