She earns the big bucks by choosing champs and when it comes to picking her top five victors and their best dances, Shirley Ballas was as sure-footed as they were.
With Strictly marking 20 years of Glitterball glory, the judge, 67, revealed her all-time faves, adding: “The show has given people a bit of an outlet to just forget everything and look forward.”
Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice
“My overall favourite because of her display of femininity, fluidity. The choreography from Giovanni was astonishing. The minute they took the music off and everyone went into her world, I thought, ‘The public are going to love it as much as we do’.”
Ore Obuda and Joanne Clifton
“Ore’s win was just before I joined the show, and I’ve known and taught Joanne for many years. I competed with her parents. That number – the Gene Kelly music, the way he delivered it – was just fabulous.”
Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton
“Stacey was just effervescent and sparkly and bubbly, and Kevin, another ex-pupil of mine, was the ultimate pro. He brought a joy of dance that is greatly missed on Strictly. He did a body of work that series with Stacey that was just brilliant.”
Kelvin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse
“The first week’s samba, I think all our jaws dropped. And then Kelvin continued throughout to improve. Oti is a taskmasker, she wants everything perfect, and I think she realised early on, ‘I’ve got a talented chappie here, I’d better give him my all’.”
Joe McFaddan and Katya Jones
“Another astonishing final dance. When Joe came out all dressed up in his red outfit with his little rosy cheeks, he and Katya were so in-sync and together and connected.”
