It seems love could be in the air for Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas, who has been reported to be “growing close” to handsome Italian dancer, Giuseppe Nonnis.
Last week, the 66-year-old was pictured walking her dog Charlie with Giuseppe, who is 30 years her junior. The pair were snapped as they strolled through a local park, pausing to share a moment together on a bench while chatting and sipping their coffees.
“She really needed this after her last split,” a source told us. “She loves having a bit of arm candy, too, so she’s very happy about it.”
According to Sardinia-born Giuseppe’s mother, Franca Nonnis, ballroom legend Shirley is currently coaching her son and is “an excellent teacher”.
Franca also said last week, “Giuseppe is a very lovable and sociable person. He is sweet with everyone.”
She also confirmed Giuseppe had split from his long-term girlfriend a year ago, leaving him “heartbroken”.
While Shirley and Giuseppe are yet to comment, it sounds like spending time on the dance floor together may have brought them closer.
“Shirley and Giuseppe have grown very close quickly,” said our source. “They hit it off. When you’re dancing, you’re very close with each other and they had this chemistry that sparked immediately. Shirley’s so attracted to him. She’s proud and wants the world to see her with him.”
In the past, the popular Strictly judge has not experienced a great deal of luck in previous relationships. Two years ago, Shirley – who was previously married to fellow dancers Sammy Stopford and Corky Ballas – called it quits with actor fiancé Danny Taylor after ignoring a series of “red flags”.
The rumba queen was left distraught after Danny, who she met in 2018 while starring in panto together, vanished one night only to show up the next day as if nothing had happened.
It was the final straw for the star, who soon realised she and Danny – who was 13 years younger – “weren’t growing together any more”.
Reflecting on what went wrong, she said, “I was getting more and more worried about things that were going on in his life – and I already have a lot of things to worry about.
“I just needed some peace. There was no question about how much I loved that man – and he came into my life at a point when I really, really needed it. He was such a caring person.
“But, what’s the nicest way to say this? Along the line, there were red flags that I chose to ignore, but it just got to a point where the relationship was becoming too difficult for me in many ways.”
Since then, Shirley has been navigating single life, saying her passion and dedication to work often stands in the way of finding The One.
“I’m obsessed with what I am and with what I do,” she has said. “So it’s not just a job for me. I’m married to it. That’s probably why I don’t have a relationship.
“With my last boyfriend, I thought that I’d found The One and that also didn’t work.”
Happily, thanks to Giuseppe, her love life could be turning a corner – but it’s not just the dancer who is putting a smile on her face.
Shirley is looking younger after undergoing a non-surgical face lift. The Merseyside born star underwent six NeoGen Plasma sessions – where the deeper layers of the skin are tightened and remodelled – at a cost of £4,500 ahead of Strictly’s 24th series, which kicked off last weekend.
Speaking about the skin regeneration treatment, Shirley said, “I recently saw some photographs of me taken in 2017, and if I’m really honest with myself, I was quite embarrassed.
“I remember that back then I really wasn’t happy with my skin. I had sagging jowls, multiple lines and wrinkles, plus lots of little age spots.
“I never thought back then that my skin would look as beautiful and as radiant as it does now.
“I can honestly say that this is the most confident I’ve ever felt going into a new series.”
She has even received compliments from her own son, professional dancer Mark Ballas, 40, while working together on US TV show Dancing With The Stars: The Next Pro.
Shirley beamed, “He kept looking at me and he said, ‘I don’t know what you’re doing to your face, Mum, but you look remarkable.’ He will probably never understand how good he made me feel saying that.”
Our source added, “Shirley’s never felt better. Her confidence is through the roof and she’s on cloud nine.”
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