Shirley Ballas, the head judge of BBC’s beloved dance show “Strictly Come Dancing,” has achieved a personal milestone by transforming her image ahead of the show’s new series.
The latest season of the hit program premiered last weekend. It features celebrities like Chris McCausland, Sarah Hadland, Nick Knowles, Pete Wicks, Tasha Ghouri, Jamie Borthwick, and Sam Quek.
Returning to her judging seat alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke, Shirley, 64, has stepped into the show’s 20th-anniversary season with renewed confidence. This season marks her seventh year as head judge since joining the panel in 2017.
In a recent Instagram post, the Wallasey-born dance star shared her fitness journey, showcasing her transformation. The video begins with a clip filmed in April, five months before the start of the 2024 series. In the footage, Shirley struggles to fit into a pair of trousers she wore at the age of 20, stating, “These are the trousers I had when I was 20 and, as you can see, they’re not quite zipped up… but they will be by Strictly, I can assure you.”
Fast forward to the second half of the video, filmed on September 19, just days before the first live show, Shirley confidently models the trousers, now fitting comfortably. “Thursday the 19th, just before Strictly, and I did say I wanted to get into these little trousers that I had… and here they are!” she exclaims, proudly displaying her success. “Zipped up, but it’s been some hard work,” she admits, smiling from her dressing room.
Expressing her satisfaction with the results, Shirley wrote in her caption, “I said I’d fit in those trousers by @bbcstrictly didn’t I 🫶🏼💃🏻 … and tonight we’re back at 7 pm x.” Fans flooded the comments with praise, including user Martina. Theresa. b, who commented, “I love that feeling! It gives you an incentive when they’re an old favourite! 🙌👏😍. You look smashing!” Another fan, karenacts, added, “You go, Shirley. Looking good and lovely. 🙌❤️.”
Shirley isn’t the only one embracing change this season. Craig Revel Horwood, known for his harsh critiques, debuted a new look with a stylish beard, drawing comparisons to TV personality Rylan Clark. Co-host Tess Daly quickly complimented him, saying, “Craig, I love the new look! Very nice!”
The contestants are also seeing transformations. Nick Knowles, star of DIY SOS, has shed two stone through intense dance training. Paired with professional dancer Luba Mushtuk, the 62-year-old discussed his fitness journey on Lorraine, revealing he has been training since July. “It was tough to begin with, but little by little, Luba’s getting me up on my toes, making all 18 stone of me a little bit lighter on my feet!” Nick said. “I’ve lost about 13 kilos so far!”
Additionally, Go Compare opera singer Wynne Evans, who once weighed 23 stone, has used the show to catalyse his ongoing weight loss journey. Speaking to Metro.co.uk, Wynne expressed his excitement, stating, “It’s like a gift. Anybody who loses weight gets to that stage where they plateau, and I think it’s like the next kick-on for me. And so I’m enjoying it.”
As Strictly returns to screens, its stars are dazzling on the dance floor and embracing personal transformations, inspiring viewers every step of the way.
