‘The true star of Strictly’ - The Telegraph

After twenty years of shiny floors and sequins, we’re more captivated than ever by the ‘Strictly journey’ – a contestant’s inspirational roller-coaster ride of personal growth that teaches you as much about yourself as it does the dance.
No one knows this more deeply than Strictly head judge and best-selling author Shirley Ballas. In a candid reflection on her own personal journey, Best Foot Forward is woven through with the tools she has developed to live life to the fullest, and the lessons she has learnt along the way. With heartfelt advice and quick-witted observations, Shirley takes you by the hand and leads you through the twists, dips and turns of life’s dance floor.

Shirley Ballas is one of the most renowned dancers in the world. A former British Open to the World Champion, and European, German, UK, USA and International Latin American Champion, her list of accolades is vast and extraordinary.

Born and raised in Wallasey, by the age of 21 Shirley had won nearly every major title she competed in. She is still the youngest ever female to reach the British Open to the World Dance Championship finals and the only woman to win it with two male partners. Shirley continued to compete at the highest level after giving birth to her only son - musician, Broadway star and entertainer, Mark Ballas - in 1985.

In 1996, Shirley retired from competitive dancing, becoming the highly acclaimed teacher and coach she is today, as well as being the head judge on BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing.