Strictly’s Shirley Ballas, 59, is seen without her leg cast for the first time after breaking her ankle as she cosies up to boyfriend Danny Taylor, 47, ahead of the new series
Strictly’s head judge Shirley Ballas was pictured without her leg cast for the first time on Friday, weeks after breaking her right ankle.
The dancer, 59, appeared happy and healthy when she was pictured outside the BBC TV studios in London alongside her boyfriend Danny Taylor, 47.
Shirley announced in July hat she had a ‘clean break’ on her right foot, but assured Strictly fans she’ll be fine to appear on the show when it returns on November 7.
Healed: Strictly’s Shirley Ballas, 59, was seen without her leg cast for the first time on Friday after breaking her ankle as she cosied up to Danny Taylor, 47, ahead of the new series
She didn’t say exactly how she had broken her ankle, but documented the news on Instagram.
Meanwhile, Shirley looked lovely during her outing, wearing a pale pink jumper and skinny jeans with matching pink trainers.
She placed a tender hand on Danny’s arm as they prepared to head inside.
No doubt she is excited to get back to work after a host of celebrity names were revealed as contestants for the new series.
Brave face: Shirley had reassured fans she would ‘be fine’ to return to Strictly following a six-week recovery after breaking her ankle back in July
Viewers will see actress Caroline Quentin, retired American football player Jason Bell, The Wanted’s Max George and GMB’s Ranvir Singh all battling it out for the Glitterball trophy.
Last month, a source close to Shirley told The Mirror: ‘She’ll definitely be back on Strictly. No reason for her not to be as she doesn’t need to dance to be on the panel but she will be out of the plaster by then.
‘The boot she had wasn’t secure enough, so she has been put in plaster to make sure the bones heal correctly.’
Beauty: Shirley looked lovely during her outing, wearing a pale pink jumper and skinny jeans with matching pink trainers
Love: Shirley and Danny looked very close to one another as he helped her get back to work
Shirley announced in July that she had a ‘clean break’ on her right foot, but assured Strictly fans she’ll be fine to appear on the show when it returns.
Walking with the help of crutches and a medical boot, the choreographer had expressed her gratitude towards the NHS.
In a clip filmed by Danny, the media personality said: ‘Hi everybody, I’ve just finished at A&E after a clean break, on my right ankle.
So glam: Head judge Shirley had always said she would be back to full health before the show returned in November
‘We’re not using Plaster of Paris anymore, using a boot, so I’m learning to walk on these crutches – crutches, right foot, close, a bit like the Waltz. Anyway, I’m going to be absolutely fine for Strictly.’
The TV star reiterated her comments in the post’s caption, where she also thanked her actor beau for lending a helping hand after she sustained her injury.
Shirley penned: ‘So a clean break. Six weeks to heal. Thank you to NHS and all staff who took care of me.’
Glowing; Shirley wore minimal make-up for her outing, letting her natural beauty shine through
Strictly Come Dancing Contestants 2020
CAROLINE QUENTIN
Age: 60
Profession: Actress, known for roles in Men Behaving Badly and Jonathan Creek
Caroline says: ‘I hope my knees don’t let me down and I hope the foundation garments live up to expectations when I start leaping about!’
Fun fact: She met her now-husband, Sam Farmer in 1998 on the set of Men Behaving Badly when he was one of the studio runners.
MAX GEORGE
Age: 31
Profession: Singer – from former boy band The Wanted
Max says: ‘Nan – I’m doing Strictly this year!’ as he vowed to make his superfan grandmother proud
Fun Fact: Max’s fellow The Wanted bandmate Jay McGuiness was on Strictlby Come Dancing in 2015 – and won it!
CLARA AMFO
Age: 36
Profession: Radio 1 presenter
Clara says: ‘As we know this year has been a real challenge and escapism through dancing is something I know we all enjoy’
Fun fact: Clara has some experience of celeb gameshows, having taken part on Celebrity Masterchef in 2018
BILL BAILEY
Age: 55
Profession: Comedian and TV personality
Clara says: ‘I’m not Lord of the Dance, more a sort of caretaker of the dance’
Fun fact: Bill is a classically trained musician and multi-instrumentalist
MAISIE SMITH
Age: 19
Profession: EastEnders actress
Maisie says: ‘Get me in those sequins, I can’t wait to dive into the Strictly fancy dress box this winter!’
Fun fact: Maisie won the 2019 Children In Need special of Strictly with Kevin Clifton
JASON BELL
Age: 42
Profession: Retired American Football player – now a pundit
Jason says: ‘I am thrilled. I’m a huge fan of the show, I’ve been watching it since I came to this country, so it’s time for me to do something cool to impress my daughter, now that she can watch me perform!’
Fun Fact: Jason is the father of Girls Aloud star Nadine Coyle’s daughter. The couple were together for 11 years, only splitting recently in 2019
RANVIR SINGH
Age: 43
Profession: ITV broadcaster, Political Editor for GMB
Ranvir says: ‘It feels like I’m on a rollercoaster… Hopefully after the first dance I will feel exhilarated rather than sick!’
Fun fact: Ranvir is the fourth GMB star to star following Susanna Reid, Richard Arnold and Charlotte Hawkins.
NICOLA ADAMS
Age: 37
Profession: Double Olympic gold medallist boxer
Nicola says: ‘I’m a huge fan of the show and am thrilled to be part of something that holds such a special place in so many people’s hearts’
Fun fact: Nicola will form the show’s first ever same-sex pairing as she is parterned with a female professional.
JJ CHALMERS
Age: 55 Profession: Comedian and TV personality Clara says: ‘I’m not Lord of the Dance, more a sort of caretaker of the dance’ Fun fact: Bill is a classically trained musician and multi-instrumentalist
Age: 33
Profession: Ex Royal Marine and Invictus Games medallist
JJ says: ‘Strictly is a whole different ball game in respect to the challenges I will face but I’m up for an adventure’
Fun fact: JJ is close friends with Prince Harry after they worked together on the Invictus Games
JAMIE LAING
Age: 31
Profession: Made In Chelsea star
Jamie says: ‘I’m over the moon I actually get to come back and dance again. It’s going to be unbelievably amazing!’
Fun fact: Jamie was forced to pull out of the 2019 series of Strictly after a foot injury