Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas has given fans an insight into a day out with partner Danny Taylor today to mark his 51st birthday. The 63-year-old took to her Instagram Story to share a video of Danny, 51, receiving a chocolate-based dessert at a meal to celebrate his special day as she, their fellow guests and the waiting staff sang the Happy Birthday song.
Seeming happy with the kind gesture, Danny gleefully smiled down the lens and went on to join in with the song which was followed by cheering and clapping. Shirley’s latest post appears to confirm that all is good between them after previously sparking split fears.
Concerns about their relationship grew after she announced the pair had called off their engagement and later referred to them as “good friends”. Additionally, the dancer has not featured Danny on her Instagram grid in a matter of weeks amongst despite many posts about her life and loved ones.
Shirley last shared a picture with her partner back in February to mark Valentine’s Day. Alongside a snap of the pair looking happy, she wrote: “Happy Valentine @danieltayloresq. Thank you for all the laughs, fun and sharing of time.
“You are a good egg lol. I’m looking forward to seeing you soon. Looking forward to some downtime soon too. Sending valentine snuggles.” The post came weeks after Shirley announced she won’t be marrying Danny despite accepting his proposal in 2021.
Speaking to Mail Online, she spilled: “I’ve changed my mind. I just feel that at this particular point in my life, my mother and I have got this great relationship and we want to do some travelling and there is different things we want to do.
“[The relationship is] going good – I’m busy, he’s busy and we talk to each other every day – several times a day, and my mum talks to him as well,” she added, referring to their long-distance romance.”
Shirley echoed her words in an interview with Closer Magazine, in which she referred to them as “good friends”.
She shared: “As my son [Mark] said, it was me who was pushing to get married.
“Things changed last year – my mum moved in, and Danny’s not in a place to get married. But we’re good as we are. We’re good friends and that works.”
Shirley and Danny’s love story began back in 2019 when they were both starring in the Christmas pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk at the Liverpool Empire.
The pair swiftly grew close as friends before romance blossomed between them following his breakup with his ex.
Reflecting on the early stages of their relationship on Loose Women, Shirley said it was “love at first sight” for her, but not the best timing to make a move.
She went on to explain: “He was going through a difficult time in his relationship.
“We did become friends and then probably in about February I said, ‘I love you Danny’ and he said, ‘I know’. It took a while.”
The professional dancer has been married twice already, firstly to former ballroom star Sammy Stopford followed by Corky Ballas.
Shirley’s first marriage lasted four years up until 1984, before she went on to marry Corky the following year.
With the latter, she shares 37-year-old son Mark, who welcomed his first child with wife BC Jean earlier this year.
