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.
