Scarborough panto giants line up Strictly's Shirley for starring role

Strictly Come Dancing's Shirley Ballas has been lined up to star in a panto produced by Scarborough panto giants Qdos Entertainment.
Shirley Ballas will play Mother Nature in Jack and the BeanstalkShirley Ballas will play Mother Nature in Jack and the Beanstalk
Shirley Ballas will play Mother Nature in Jack and the Beanstalk

The head judge will be swapping the dancefloor to play Mother Nature in Jack and the Beanstalk at Darlington Hippodrome.

Having danced since the age of seven, Shirley has taken the dancing world by storm. She is 3 time ‘British Open to the World’ Latin American Champion, 10-time US Latin American Champion, and multiple-times British National Champion.

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By 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.

Since hanging up her competition heels 20 years ago, Shirley has gone on to forge a hugely successful career as one of the top Ballroom and Latin teachers and adjudicators in the world. She brings her immense expertise and experience to the judging panel of BBC’s primetime show Strictly Come Dancing, where she has been Head Judge since 2017.

In addition to her role on Strictly, Shirley has been seen giving masterclasses and commentating on the American series Dancing with the Stars, is a frequent panellist on Loose Women, was the subject of BBC1’s Who Do You Think You Are?, joined ITV's This Morning team presenting the feature Matchmaker Mountain, and climbed Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief’s Return to Kili.

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Last year Shirley made her pantomime debut for producers Qdos Entertainment in Liverpool, winning acclaim from audiences and critics alike.

Jack and the Beanstalk will be produced by Qdos Entertainment, the world’s biggest pantomime producer

Jake Hine, executive producer for Qdos Entertainment, said: “I’m thrilled that we have managed to tempt Shirley out from behind the Strictly judging desk to show Darlington audiences just why she’s considered one of the world’s finest dancers.

"After her debut in pantomime for us last year I know Hippodrome audiences will enjoy yet another fantastic show this festive season.”

Jack and the Beanstalk runs at Darlington Hippodrome from Friday December 6 to Sunday 5 January 5.

To book visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk or call 01325 405405.