
Man admits stalking Strictly judge Shirley Ballas in six-year campaign
Born Shirley Rich in Wallasey, Merseyside, in 1960, Ballas started ballroom dancing at the age of seven, before competing professionally from the age of 15 to 36.
She then became a dance coach and judge for ballroom and Latin American competitions, and replaced Len Goodman as the head judge on Strictly in 2017.
She has also written a crime novel, Murder on the Dance Floor, published by Harper Collins.
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Wales Online
7 hours ago
- Wales Online
Strictly's Amy Dowden sends message to Jessie J after breast cancer news as she gives stark warning
Strictly's Amy Dowden sends message to Jessie J after breast cancer news as she gives stark warning The professional dancer wrote she was "sending all the love and strength" to Jessie J Amy Dowden has consistently spoken openly about her journey through cancer treatment two years after diagnosis (Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror ) Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has sent a heartfelt message to Jessie J, after the singer confirmed she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. On Wednesday, June 4, the Price Tag and Domino singer explained she had been diagnosed with "early breast cancer" and will be undergoing surgery later this month. The former The Voice UK judge, 37, said in an Instagram post that she had spent some time "in and out of tests" before being diagnosed with the disease, which you can read more here. In response, Welsh professional dancer took to her Instagram story to implore others to "check yourselves". While sharing the video of the singer explaining her diagnosis on her Instagram story, Amy Dowden wrote: "Sending all the love and strength! Please all this is a reminder to check yourselves! "You know your body better than anyone else! Jessie J the pink sister club is not a club anyone wants to be a part of but the community is so strong and supportive, there is so much love, help and support for you!" In 2023, the professional dancer was diagnosed with breast cancer, which led to her undergoing a mastectomy and intensive chemotherapy. While sharing the video of the singer explaining her diagnosis on her Instagram story, Amy Dowden wrote: "Sending all the love and strength! Please all this is a reminder to check yourselves!" (Image: Amy Dowden / Instagram ) Article continues below During her cancer journey, Amy decided to document her experience through the BBC documentary Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me, which focused on her battle for her health, a future family and a return to the dancefloor. Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me was described as a "powerfully honest" documentary. Recently, the documentary was nominated for the National TV Awards (NTA) in the 'Authored Documentary' category alongside Love Island star Molly Mae's documentary, Molly-Mae: Behind It All, Freddie Flintoff's documentary, Flintoff, which followed his recovery from a near-fatal car crash while filming Top Gear in 2022, Boyzone: No Matter What and Sir Chris Hoy: Finding Hope amongst other documentaries. The National TV Awards' winners are based on public vote, with the ceremony taking place in London this September. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter . Recently, the dancer said it had been a "tough decision" to let a film crew document her "raw emotion". In February 2024, Amy received the uplifting news of 'no evidence of the disease'. Article continues below Since then, the ballroom dancer has been unwavering in her commitment to raising awareness of the disease, providing regular heartfelt updates to her followers.


Daily Record
9 hours ago
- Daily Record
Strictly's Wynne Evans admits to another mishap in latest update
Wynne Evans has been axed from his BBC Radio Wales show after making an 'inappropriate and unacceptable' comment during the Strictly Come Dancing live tour launch in December. Wynne Evans has candidly confessed to fans that he "messed up again" while sharing an update about his career, following his recent admission on social media. The radio presenter had previously informed his listeners that he would be departing from BBC Radio Wales after the station chose not to renew his contract. The announcement of his removal from the daytime show came after he apologised for what he described as an "inappropriate and unacceptable" remark made during the Strictly Come Dancing live tour launch in December. In a bold move, Evans has since declared he will be launching The Wynne Evans Show on a new app, describing the venture as both "terrifying" and "exhilarating" much to the delight of his supporters, reports the Mirror. "Um, so the message stopped halfway through, so the headline is I'm starting my own radio station. Well, I'm taking my own show. "It's going to be on an app. It's going to be on Alexa and Google. As I said, it feels so good to say that - to not have to say smartspeaker and supermarket - other places are available." "Anyway, find out more by going to Go there, sign up to the newsletter, and I can't wait to be with you." The BBC has confirmed that Evans will not be returning to his mid-morning show on BBC Radio Wales, stating "is not returning to the mid-morning show on BBC Radio Wales and there are currently no plans to work with him." Evans, aged 53, faced backlash after being caught on camera making a sexualised comment at the Birmingham Arena during a group photo on stage. He expressed remorse for his actions, saying, "My language was inappropriate and unacceptable, for which I sincerely apologise," in an official statement. The radio host reflected on his time with BBC Radio Wales, which began in 2016, describing it as more than just a job but also like "home" to him. Upon the announcement of his departure, he disclosed his plans to start The Wynne Evans show on a new app. Evans's behaviour on Strictly Come Dancing also raised eyebrows among viewers, with some labelling his actions as "awkward". Notably, an incident occurred where his dance partner, Katya Jones, seemed to snub a high-five and moved his hand away from her waist during a live broadcast in October. However, both Evans and Jones later explained that the incident was part of an ongoing "running joke" between them. Jones further dismissed claims that she felt uncomfortable or offended, calling such suggestions "complete nonsense". In a recent interview with The Sun, Evans addressed the controversies stemming from his time on Strictly. He defended a particular sexualised remark, asserting it had been "taken out of context" and was actually related to a nickname for fellow contestant Jamie Borthwick. He further elaborated on a past event where he sent a sex toy to Borthwick, confessing "that was a joke that went too far". On social media, after updating his followers about a new endeavour, the presenter received an influx of supportive messages. Many admirers seem thrilled at Evans' new chapter. Another shared their excitement: "Omg! ! This is amazing. I'm so happy! Well done Wynne!". Someone else responded with encouragement: "Good on you fella! Been listening to you on the radio in the mornings and it's the only show I love!" In a similar vein, another fan added: "Brilliant news, I will be joining you as soon as you start. Good luck you have so much support."


The Courier
9 hours ago
- The Courier
Craig Revel Horwood: I'll spill Strictly gossip and sing for crowds in Stirling, Dundee and Dunfermline
Known for his choreography skills, it's perhaps predictable that Craig Revel Horwood jokes he's looking forward to 'a Highland fling' in Scotland later this month. But it's not just his dancing that the Strictly Come Dancing judge is showing off on his latest UK tour – it's also his less heralded talent for singing. Revel Horwood is due to round off a 43-date road trip with four Scottish shows on The Courier's doorstep. It all follows the release of his debut album Revelations – Songs Boys Don't Sing, which reached the Top 20 in the UK charts last October. The very fact that he's made an LP at all has raised more than a few eyebrows, but Craig actually started singing as a boy in his native Australia in the 1970s. He initially made his name in the early 2000s as a West End director and choreographer, before going on to mastermind the opening to Manchester's 2002 Commonwealth Games. Since settling into the judge's seat he still occupies when ballroom-based BBC hit Strictly was launched in 2004, he has gone on to make his mark on stage over the past decade in roles such as alcoholic orphanage caretaker Miss Hannigan in a touring version of Annie and as The Wizard Of Oz's iconic Wicked Witch of the West. But it was the approach of one of life's milestones that spurred him into the recording studio. 'My mum wanted me to make an album, and I thought I'd better do one before I'm 60, which I am now, and I'll take it out on the road,' says Craig. 'It's a compilation of a lot of women's songs that I've played before, so all of the material is very character-driven. It's a delve into my life as a musician really, because that's how I started contemplating even dancing.' The former Melbourne drag queen, who moved to London in 1989, plays both the trumpet and the French horn, but reveals it was an instrument forever associated with primary school that set him on his musical journey. 'It started with the recorder, which is how a lot of people start,' he explains. 'Everyone laughs at that, but we had a proper consort of recorders. It was a seven-piece and I played at Sydney Opera House, and we actually found a tape recording of us playing in 1978 so I play that to the audience during my show. 'If that's not worth 36 quid I don't know what is.' Putting on his serious face for a moment, Revel Horwood declares his upcoming Scottish sojourn will provide an intimate insight into what makes him tick, as well as the ups and downs he's experienced since becoming a household name. 'The show is about my love for the music and how it's affected my life,' he adds. 'It's about relationships, too, because we all go through the same emotions, so I'll be talking about that, and heartbreak, and where it can lead. 'Adele has proved how much emotion heartbreak can evoke, not just for singers, but for the audience too. 'I'm also going to be telling a lot of showbiz stories, a lot of Strictly backstage goss. What is Shirley Ballas really like? I'll be delving into that, and why Bruno (Tonioli) left. 'I will answer any question I'm asked, whether it's on Strictly, my personal life, anything – I don't care.' Craig, who's joined on stage by his piano-playing Celebrity Gogglebox sidekick Ben Goddard, outlines what to expect in between the revelatory chat. 'The tour is full of weird and wonderful things, like great songs obviously, with a little bit of dancing, some Shirley Bassey I've got up my sleeve, a little bit of Ursula from The Little Mermaid and the mad characters I've played over the years,' he says. 'I wanted to put something together that was really personal and for people to feel like they're just coming to have a cocktail party with me at my house – I even have a cooking segment. 'I won't have my judging panels and I won't have my judge's hat on. I'm going to be just me.'