Queen of Latin Shirley Ballas to make her Strictly judging debut
She has promised to be firm but fair.
Shirley Ballas will deliver her first verdicts as the new head judge of Strictly Come Dancing when the series kicks off on Saturday night.
A renowned star of the dance world who is dubbed the Queen of Latin, Ballas, 57, has plenty of prestigious titles under her belt.
The ballroom and Latin dancer and international coach was born in Wallasey and became one of the most decorated professional dancers in the world.
She is a former British Open To The World champion, as well as a European, German, United Kingdom, United States and international Latin American champion.
She is also a 10-time United States Latin American champion, multiple-times British National champion, and by the age of 21 had won nearly every major title she competed in worldwide.
Her son Mark, a musician, Broadway star and professional dancer, has won Dancing With The Stars twice and Ballas still counts the Houghs, who have won the US series eight times between them, as part of her family.
Ballas will have the deciding vote as head judge.
