Shirley Ballas, the formidable head judge of Strictly Come Dancing, has made a striking revelation that has left fans talking: at 65, she would rather live with her 89-year-old mother, Audrey Rich, than cohabit with a man again. The star, renowned for her sharp wit and dancing expertise, opened up about life with her mother and the painful experiences of past relationships that have shaped her outlook on love and companionship.
Shirley and Audrey have shared a home in south-east London for the past four years, creating a harmonious household where responsibilities are shared. “Living with her is the most joyous thing,” Shirley said. “She does the washing and ironing, and still stands on a stool to clean her ornaments — though I wish she wouldn’t. She puts the meals on the table, things like vegetable casseroles, and I take care of the rest. We are a bit like husband and wife.” Shirley highlighted that one of the best aspects of their living arrangement is her mother’s self-sufficiency. “She never tells me what to say or what to do,” Shirley added.
The former professional ballroom dancer contrasted this with past experiences with male partners. “I’ve had a few boyfriends, and I just found myself always having to take care of them,” she admitted. Her candidness shines a light on the emotional labour often unacknowledged in relationships, and the profound relief she now feels living with someone entirely independent.
Shirley’s most recent high-profile romance was with West End star Danny Taylor, 53, with whom she was engaged for six years. The relationship ended in late 2024 after what Shirley described as “unforgivable behaviour.” She revealed the incident that finally broke her trust: Danny disappeared during her 64th birthday celebrations, leaving her frantically calling his friends and family to track him down. When he reappeared the next day, it was as if nothing had happened — a moment that reignited painful memories of her late brother David’s tragic death at 44. Shirley recounted: “All those memories came flooding back… it triggered all these emotions. I just thought ‘this can’t go on’. Not just for my sake, but my mum too.”
Despite the heartbreak, Shirley has not ruled out finding love again. Currently single, she maintains a few friendships but nothing she would define as serious. “I love the idea of being married,” she said, reflecting on life after two failed marriages and other relationships. “But at this age you get set in your ways.”
Shirley’s revelations provide a deeply human insight into the complexities of love, family, and independence. Her bond with her mother stands as a testament to companionship without compromise, highlighting a profound truth: sometimes the strongest, most fulfilling relationships are not romantic ones, but those rooted in respect, love, and shared daily life.
