THE BRITISH-BORN “QUEEN OF LATIN”
Global Ballroom & Latin Champion | International Coach
Head Judge – BBC Strictly Come Dancing
Shirley Ballas is a champion ballroom dancer, world-renowned dance teacher and adjudicator, best-selling author, and the head judge of BBC 1’s flagship show
Strictly Come Dancing.
THE BRITISH-BORN “QUEEN OF LATIN”
Global Ballroom & Latin Champion, International Coach,
Head Judge – BBC Strictly Come Dancing
Shirley Ballas is a champion ballroom dancer, world-renowned dance teacher and adjudicator, best-selling author, and the head judge of BBC 1’s flagship show
Strictly Come Dancing.
Shirley Ballas, originally from Wallasey, has been dancing since the age of 7. She is 3 time ‘British Open to the World’ Latin American Champion, 10-time US Latin American Champion, and multiple-times British National Champion.
By 21, Shirley had won nearly every major title she competed in worldwide. She is the only person to have ever won the British Open to the World Latin American Championships in Blackpool with two different partners and reached the finals an impressive 17 times.
Shirley still remains the youngest ever female to reach the ‘British Open to the World’ Dance Championship finals. Shirley is now one of the top Ballroom and Latin teachers and adjudicators in the world and is delighted and honoured to be head judge on the BBC’S Strictly Come Dancing.
Shirley has been the recipient of 3
Carl Alan Awards (the Oscars of the world of dance), Teacher of the Year Award, The Variety Club Legends of Industry Award, and has been inducted into both the United States and Great Britain Dance Hall of Fame.
Shirley Ballas, originally from Wallasey, has been dancing since the age of 7. She is 3 time ‘British Open to the World’ Latin American Champion, 10-time US Latin American Champion, and multiple-times British National Champion.
By 21, Shirley had won nearly every major title she competed in worldwide. She is the only person to have ever won the British Open to the World Latin American Championships in Blackpool with two different partners and reached the finals an impressive 17 times.
Shirley still remains the youngest ever female to reach the ‘British Open to the World’ Dance Championship finals. Shirley is now one of the top Ballroom and Latin teachers and adjudicators in the world and is delighted and honoured to be head judge on the BBC’S Strictly Come Dancing.
Shirley has been the recipient of 3 Carl Alan Award (the Oscars of the world of dance), Teacher of the Year Award, The Variety Club Legends of Industry Award, and has been inducted into both the United States and Great Britain Dance Hall of Fame.
MEDIA & PRESS
Shirley has appeared on major TV shows. Aswell as her
Head Judge role on Strictly Come Dancing, Shirley has been seen giving masterclasses and commentating on the American series Dancing with the Stars, is a frequent panellist on Loose Women & was the subject of BBC 1’s Who Do You Think You Are?
MEDIA & PRESS
Shirley has appeared on major TV shows.
Aswell as her Head Judge role on Strictly Come Dancing, Shirley has been seen giving masterclasses and commentating on the American series Dancing with the Stars, is a frequent panellist on Loose Women & was the subject of BBC 1’s Who Do You Think You Are?
TELEVISION, TOURS & PUBLICATIONS
She presented two series of the popular This Morning feature Matchmaker Mountain for ITV and fronted the CBBC series School Summer Camp.
Shirley’s numerous other appearances include: The Jonathan Ross Show, Britain’s Got More Talent, Through the Keyhole, Crystal Maze, Catchphrase, Blankety Blank, The One Show, Tipping Point: Lucky Stars, Would I Lie to You?, The Graham Norton Show, Celebrity Juice, The Masked Singer,Bear Hunt and Strictly Come Dancing LIVE amongst many others.
TELEVISION, TOURS & PUBLICATIONS
She presented two series of the popular This Morning feature Matchmaker Mountain for ITV and fronted the CBBC series School Summer Camp.
Shirley’s numerous other appearances include:
The Jonathan Ross Show, Britain’s Got More Talent, Through the Keyhole, Crystal Maze, Catchphrase, Blankety Blank, The One Show, Tipping Point: Lucky Stars, Would I Lie to You?, The Graham Norton Show, Celebrity Juice, The Masked Singer, Bear Hunt and Strictly Come Dancing LIVE amongst many others.
Further to this, Shirley was asked to lend her voice to the Puss in Boots story for the CBeebies channel in collaboration with the Northern Ballet and presented a Friday Night Is Music Night special for BBC Radio 2.
Further to this, Shirley was asked to lend her voice to the Puss in Boots story for the CBeebies channel in collaboration with the Northern Ballet and presented a Friday Night Is Music Night special for BBC Radio 2.
BOOKS BY SHIRLEY
She is the author of Behind the Sequins, her debut novel Murder on the Dance Floor, its thrilling sequel Dance to the Death, and her latest release, Best Foot Forward. Shirley’s extensive experience in live events and media appearances ensures that every engagement is professional, captivating, and unforgettable.
BOOKS BY SHIRLEY
She is the author of Behind the Sequins, her debut novel Murder on the Dance Floor, its thrilling sequel Dance to the Death, and her latest release, Best Foot Forward. Shirley’s extensive experience in live events and media appearances ensures that every engagement is professional, captivating, and unforgettable.
Latest Title
–
Best Foot Forward:
Life Lessons from the World of Dance
(BBC Books/Ebury, 2025) offers an inspiring guide to confidence and resilience. Drawing on Shirley’s professional and personal journey, the book shares practical principles for navigating life’s challenges and achieving personal growth.
LATEST TITLE
–
Best Foot Forward: Life Lessons from the World of Dance
(BBC Books/Ebury, 2025) offers an inspiring guide to confidence and resilience. Drawing on Shirley’s professional and personal journey, the book shares practical principles for navigating life’s challenges and achieving personal growth.
SPEAKER TOPICS
& EXPERTISE
From the world’s most demanding competitive stages to the global spotlight, Shirley understands what it takes to perform, lead, and endure under pressure.
SPEAKER TOPICS
& EXPERTISE
From the world’s most demanding competitive stages to the global spotlight, Shirley understands what it takes to perform, lead, and endure under pressure.
*
Her talks combine personal experience, proven frameworks and real-world insight to help leaders and teams build resilience,
sharpen decision-making and achieve sustained excellence, no matter the challenge.
*
Her talks combine personal experience, proven frameworks and real-world insight to help leaders and teams build resilience, sharpen decision-making and achieve sustained excellence, no matter the challenge.
Leadership Under Pressure
How great leaders think, decide, and perform when the stakes are highest.
- ★ Leadership in times of change
- ★ Decision-making under pressure
- ★ Adaptive leadership in demanding environments
- ★ Strategic thinking at the highest level
- ★ Leadership in the public eye
Mindset & Resilience
The mental discipline required to achieve long-term excellence.
- ★ Building a winning mindset
- ★ Resilience and grit
- ★ Navigating change with confidence
- ★ Overcoming adversity
- ★ Personal leadership and self-mastery
Elite Performance & Excellence
What it takes to reach the top and stay there.
- ★ Sustaining excellence at an elite level
- ★ Consistency in high performance
- ★ Thriving in high-stakes environments
- ★ Maintaining standards under scrutiny
- ★ Discipline behind long-term success
Emotional Intelligence
Leading people with insight, empathy, and authority.
- ★ Emotional intelligence in leadership
- ★ Reading people under pressure
- ★ Giving feedback that drives growth
- ★ Authority with empathy
- ★ Building trust & presence
Longevity, Change & Reinvention
Lessons in endurance, adaptability, and evolving at every stage of success.
- ★ Longevity in demanding careers
- ★ Navigating transition and reinvention
- ★ Performing through change
- ★ Staying relevant at the highest level
Bespoke, Practical & Global Insight
Tailored sessions grounded in real-world experience.
- ★ Custom talks aligned to your organisation
- ★ Global perspective and international experience
- ★ Practical frameworks and proven tools
- ★ Real-world high-pressure case studies
- ★ Insights for leaders, teams & organisations
Leadership Under Pressure
How great leaders think, decide, and perform when the stakes are highest.
- ★ Leadership in times of change
- ★ Decision-making under pressure
- ★ Adaptive leadership in demanding environments
- ★ Strategic thinking at the highest level
- ★ Leadership in the public eye
Mindset & Resilience
The mental discipline required to achieve long-term excellence.
- ★ Building a winning mindset
- ★ Resilience and grit
- ★ Navigating change with confidence
- ★ Overcoming adversity
- ★ Personal leadership and self-mastery
Elite Performance
What it takes to reach the top and stay there.
- ★ Sustaining excellence at an elite level
- ★ Consistency in high performance
- ★ Thriving in high-stakes environments
- ★ Maintaining standards under scrutiny
- ★ Discipline behind long-term success
Emotional Intelligence
Leading people with insight, empathy and authority.
- ★ Emotional intelligence in leadership
- ★ Reading people under pressure
- ★ Giving feedback that drives growth
- ★ Authority with empathy
- ★ Building trust & presence
Longevity, Change & Reinvention
Lessons in endurance, adaptability, and evolving at every stage of success.
- ★ Longevity in demanding careers
- ★ Navigating transition and reinvention
- ★ Performing through change
- ★ Staying relevant at the highest level
Bespoke, Practical & Global Insight
Tailored sessions grounded in real-world experience.
- ★ Custom talks aligned to your organisation
- ★ Global perspective and international experience
- ★ Practical frameworks and proven tools
- ★ Real-world high-pressure case studies
- ★ Insights for leaders, teams & organisations
CAMPAIGNS FOR CHANGE
Dedicated ambassador for multiple charities, supporting causes in health, youth, and wellbeing. She actively participates in fundraising events, public awareness campaigns, and charitable initiatives, using her profile to make a meaningful impact.
In 2019, Shirley was one of nine celebrities selected for BBC1’s Kilimanjaro: The Return, where they climbed the 5,895 metre mountain to raise funds for Comic Relief supported projects in the UK and internationally.
In 2023, Shirley completed her ‘Skyathlon’ challenge for CALM, the Campaign Against Living Miserably. She embarked on a zipline, wing walk and skydive, raising over £60,000 for the charity.
CAMPAIGNS
FOR CHANGE
Dedicated ambassador for multiple charities, supporting causes in health, youth, and wellbeing. She actively participates in fundraising events, public awareness campaigns, and charitable initiatives, using her profile to make a meaningful impact.
In 2019, Shirley was one of nine celebrities selected for BBC1’s Kilimanjaro: The Return, where they climbed the 5,895 metre mountain to raise funds for Comic Relief supported projects in the UK and internationally.
In 2023, Shirley completed her ‘Skyathlon’ challenge for CALM, the Campaign Against Living Miserably. She embarked on a zipline, wing walk and skydive, raising over £60,000 for the charity.
CONTACT
For all enquiries regarding availability, event pricing, or
bespoke engagements, please contact Shirley’s management team.
They will be happy to assist with all booking requests and provide
further information..
PA & Social Media | Harry Surplus
Management | Ashley Vallance
Corporate & Events | Olivia Bertolotti
CONTACT
For all enquiries regarding availability, event pricing, or bespoke engagements, please contact Shirley’s management team. They will be happy to assist with all booking requests and provide further information..
PA & Social Media | Harry Surplus
Management | Ashley Vallance
Corporate & Events | Olivia Bertolotti
Global Ballroom & Latin Champion | International Coach | Head Judge – BBC Strictly Come Dancing
Global Ballroom & Latin Champion | International Coach | Head Judge BBC Strictly Come Dancing