New Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas, 57, has been accused by her ex-husband Corky of cheating on him throughout their marriage.
The scorned former flame spoke to the The Sun on Sunday and claimed that the professional ballroom dancer would ‘be at the studios and then disappear with the dancers’ – as part of a revenge plan to hit back at him after finding out he had embarked on an affair.
Corky, 56, a retired competitive ballroom dancer, detailed his accusations: ‘She was seeing whoever, whenever. Over 20 years I’d say there were at least ten men who I thought she was involved with.’
‘She’d be at the studios and then disappear with the dancers’: New Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas’ ex-husband Corky, 56, has claimed to The Sun that she cheated on him throughout their marriage
Shirley was first married to Sammy Stopford, who she fell for when she turned pro at age 17; they then worked together until 1983, during which time they got married.
The star, who boasts a 40-year career as a Latin dancer, then met Corky and inevitably got divorced from Sammy. Shirley married Corky and they went on to win a string of international dancing titles.
The couple, who separated 14 years ago, share a son, Mark Ballas, who now performs on the US version of Strictly – Dancing With The Stars.
And speaking of the demise of their relationship, Corky continues emphasising his fragile position, adding: ‘The only person she was cold to was me.’
Bitter Corky continued with his accusations: ‘She was seeing whoever, whenever. Over 20 years I’d say there were at least ten men who I thought she was involved with.’
Speaking further to the publication, Corky admitted that it was his infidelity that led to the demise of the marriage, accusing Shirley of wanting to play tit for tat with him by seducing men for revenge.
Despite only knowing for certain about two of Shirley’s lovers, Corky is convinced that she had more: ‘There were two that I knew of, but there may have been more that I didn’t. It was always the same thing. She would go off and teach with them first.’
Shirley, known as ‘The Queen of Latin’, revealed she was ‘over the moon’ in May after being chosen to take over from Len Goodman as head judge on Strictly when it returns to screens this September.
After hearing that she was selected as a judge, Shirley gushed: ‘I am so excited and over the moon to have been given this wonderful opportunity. I can’t wait to get in to the ballroom and be part of the incredible and respected judging panel!’
Despite only knowing for certain about two of Shirley’s lovers, Corky is convinced that she had more: ‘There were two that I knew of, but there may have been more that I didn’t. It was always the same thing. She would go off and teach with them first’
Clearly ecstatic at her casting as a devoted follower of the show, she added: ‘Strictly Come Dancing is so loved by the British public, I have always been a massive fan. I just can’t wait!’ And she described it as a great tribute to the late Bruce Forsyth.
She has previously proven that she’s a firecracker ahead of the show, after giving her very brash opinion on the infamous Strictly curse.
She told The Sun: ‘If you’re locked up in a room and you’re coming out in your little sensual clothing and men are baring chests and you’re there every week and you have to do romance, it’s difficult not to have chemistry. ‘
She also maintained that chemistry is crucial to the show and that there are most likely multiple factors involved when a relationship breaks down after taking part on the show.
‘You’re coming out in your little sensual clothing… it’s difficult not to have chemistry’: She has previously proven that she’s a firecracker ahead of the show, after giving her very brash opinion on the infamous Strictly curse