Strictly Come Dancing's Shirley Ballas pleaded with ex to take her back – after she found love again

Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has had varying degrees of success when it comes to relationships over the years - but has now admitted she regretted ditching her first husband

Shirley Ballas has opened up about past mistakes in love - hinting at regret over the end of her first marriage.

The 64-year-old Strictly Come Dancing judge is twice divorced - having been married first to ballroom dancer Sammy Stopford, 68, from 1980 until 1984, then to dancer Corky Ballas, 63, from 1985 until 2007. While married to Corky - whose real name is Mark Alexander Ballas Sr - Shirley welcomed her son Mark Ballas Jr, 38, who is an established performer himself and has competed as a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars in the USA.

Before both marriages, Shirley had been engaged to British ballroom dancer Nigel Tiffany - but called off the marriage before going on to spark her romance with Sammy. And more recently, Shirley was engaged to toyboy lover Danny Taylor, 51 - but they split in November this year after six years of love.

In a podcast chat, Shirley has appeared to be in a reflective mood and has cast her mind back to her failed first marriage. She has revealed that she had second thoughts after ditching Sammy for Corky - but then decided to persevere with the relationship regardless.

Opening up on Great Company with Jamie Laing, the twice-divorced, four-time-engaged star said: "I'm not sure I was always in touch with my feelings. I think my first true love where I felt something really passionate was when I left Sammy and I thought I was moving in with Corky to Houston, Texas. Six weeks after being with him and after I left my husband I realised that wasn't right either.

"I tried to come back but my first husband said...[Shirley threw up her middle finger] he said, 'see you'... I said to my mum, 'I'm not sure this is right for me.' She said, 'you made your bed you better lie in it.'"

Last month, fans were shocked to learn Shirley had called time on her relationship with Danny. A source told The Sun at the time: "She gave her all to that relationship and in the end came to the realisation that it wasn't going anywhere. She made a lot of effort to see Danny and support his theatre and panto work, travelling up and down the country.

"Distance also played its part - Shirley lives in London with her mother and Danny remains based in Liverpool; that commute is a killer. But Shirley is a strong, resilient character and is looking better than ever. She will 100% bounce back - 2025 promises to be an absolute corker for her."

Confirming the split this month, Shirley said: "Currently, I've just split with my boyfriend. My relationships have been a disaster, all the way along the line. “But what I am truly grateful for is that I still have my mother, and that she lives with me, and I get these precious moments with her."

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