Shirley Ballas Announces She Will Not Marry Again
The 66-year-old dance judge is shifting her focus away from public relationships after ending her engagement.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Divorce
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Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas has announced she has no plans to marry again. At 66, Ballas intends to keep future romantic relationships private to avoid public scrutiny.
Why it matters
Ballas stated she prefers her current independence and wishes to avoid the public judgment that previously surrounded her romantic life. She plans to maintain this boundary to ensure her personal life remains out of the press.
Shirley Ballas is 66 years old and previously held a 22-year marriage to Corky Ballas. Her recent relationship with Danny Taylor lasted 6 years, and she is the mother of 40-year-old Mark Ballas.
The players
Shirley Ballas
She is a renowned ballroom dancer and current head judge on the BBC competition series Strictly Come Dancing.
Mark Ballas
He is a professional dancer and the son of Shirley Ballas.
The details
Ballas is currently preparing to appear as a guest judge on the US show Dancing With The Stars for the upcoming Halloween episode. She expects to maintain a stricter judging persona on the US production than she does for her role on the UK-based Strictly Come Dancing.
Timeline
Shirley Ballas was married to Sammy Stopford from 1980 to 1984.
Ballas was married to Corky Ballas from 1985 to 2007.
She ended her relationship with Danny Taylor in 2024.
The Prima magazine interview featuring her comments goes on sale October 28, 2026.
Culture Shift
Ballas's decision marks a departure from her previously public romantic life, following a pattern set by the public scrutiny of celebrity relationships. This move reflects a wider trend among aging stars who are increasingly prioritizing personal privacy over media engagement.
Readers may see Ballas take a stricter approach to her critique during her upcoming guest judge appearance on Dancing With The Stars. Her choice to keep her private life out of the news signals a potential shift in how fans interact with the personal narratives of public figures.
The takeaway
Ballas emphasizes that at this stage in her life, she no longer feels the need to answer to anyone regarding her personal choices. Her shift toward privacy serves as an example for others looking to reclaim control over their own public or personal narratives.
Further reading
For more on evolving relationship norms and modern perspectives on marriage, visit our Divorce section.
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