Strictly Come Dancing's fan-favorite judge Shirley Ballas is confident she looks way younger than her boyfriend, Danny Taylor. Ballas is 60, whereas her partner is 47. 

The dance judge gushed about the 13-year age difference with her boyfriend in an interview with The Sun on September 4, 2021. She shared that people's comments about her boyfriend being her 'toy boy' didn't bother her. 

"First of all, I look younger than him," Ballas quipped before stating that she gave Taylor a run for his money despite their age.

In addition, she mentioned they didn't care about their age and were doing really well together. 

Shirley Ballas' Relationship with Boyfriend Danny Taylor

In the aforementioned interview, Ballas also opened up about the trials and tribulations the duo faced in their relationship. She recounted how they had a challenging time during the pandemic restrictions. 

In her own words, staying with Taylor in the lockdown was like doing ten years of work. However, Ballas admitted the hardships strengthened their bond. She added, 

If you came through lockdown, you can come through anything.

The Wallasey native also revealed her plans of getting married, disclosing they talk about marriage timely. She joked she would be like American Elizabeth Taylor if she married once again. Taylor has tied the knot with eight people previously. 

Reflecting on her affection towards her partner, Ballas mentioned she would stick with her partner till the end. 

The ballroom dancer had fallen head over heels for Taylor when she first met him in November 2018, during the pantomime rehearsals for Jack And The Beanstalk in Darlington. 

Meanwhile, Taylor was going through a complicated relationship. So they became friends at first. However, when Taylor became single around February 2019, Ballas unhesitantly expressed her feelings for him. 

And since then, there has been no turning back. Instead, the head judge shared, while talking on the Loose Women panel in January 2020, that she wouldn't rule out expanding her family with her theatre actor beau.

She opined it was essential to explore the option of adopting a child. 

Shirley Ballas' Ex-husbands and Married Life 

Ballas has been through multiple failed relationships. At 16, she got engaged to British ballroom champion Nigel Tiffany. The duo moved to London together, but their relationship didn't last long. 

In the new city, the dance coach fell in love with her dance partner, Sammy Stopford.

They became the 'it' couple in the dancing arena, winning notable titles worldwide. But their marriage couldn't weather the test of time.

Later, Ballas met fellow dancer Corky Ballas and married him in 1985. Together, the pair competed in dance competitions and won nine Latin titles. 

In 1986, Ballas and her husband welcomed their son Mark. They remained together for almost 18 years before separating in 2003 and getting divorced in 2007.