[Denver]

Nicknamed the ‘Queen of Latin’, Shirley is one of the top and most decorated professional dancers in the world. She is three-time ‘British Open to the World’ Latin American Champion, 10-time United States Latin American Champion, and multiple-times British National Champion. By the age of 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 mother to Mark Ballas, the musician, Broadway star, professional dancer and two-time winner on Dancing with the Stars in the US. Shirley was also guardian to professional dancers Julianne and Derek Hough during their childhood in London. The two time and six time winners of Dancing with the Stars respectively are still part of her family to this day.

Shirley will take over from Len Goodman as Head Judge and will have the casting vote in the dance-off. Len announced last year that he was stepping down at the end of the 14th series.