Shirley Ballas, the renowned Strictly Come Dancing judge, and her mother Audrey share a candid look back at their lives together, from tough love moments to their current bond as Audrey battles chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Shirley's Recollection: A Slap That Changed Everything
Shirley recalls a memorable moment on a cruise around Hawaii: "I was coming out of a relationship and kept whining. At breakfast, I was crying, so she smacked me round the face. You bet your life I shut up after that. That's old-school parenting."
Growing Up with a Single Mother
Shirley's parents divorced when she was two, leaving Audrey to raise Shirley and her brother alone. "Nobody had much, but we had community. Mum worked multiple jobs, so we learned to cook, shop, and clean. To this day, I like order, just like Mum."
At age seven, Shirley discovered dance after peering into a church hall. "I told Mum, and she said, 'If you want to do it, you'll take the classes.' She worried about costs but worked extra jobs so I could pursue it. I never lost the clothes or red makeup case she bought me."
Leaving Home and Early Marriages
Shirley left home at 14 to live with her first dance partner's family. "Mum thought I'd be back in six weeks, but I stayed until 16. She advised me not to marry young, but I married at 18 and again at 22. Neither lasted."
Strictly Come Dancing and Overcoming Bullying
Before joining Strictly, Shirley faced bullying in the male-dominated dance industry. "For 10 years, I was mistreated by men at the top. I considered changing careers. But if I had been happy, I might not have gone for Strictly, so it worked out."
Audrey's COPD Diagnosis and Stubborn Spirit
In 2022, Audrey was diagnosed with COPD. "I had no idea what that meant—it's lung conditions causing breathlessness. I've seen Mum choking from coughing. She's stubborn: she doesn't use an inhaler and still smokes. She'll be 90 next year and says, 'Don't tell me what to eat or smoke.' Her condition won't improve, but she looks healthy and is in cancer remission."
Shirley adds, "I can't imagine life without her. She plans her funeral—she wants 'Knees Up Mother Brown' and insists no one buys their own drinks."
Living Together and Daily Rituals
"We've lived together on and off. I love coming home after Strictly on Saturdays to find her in her pink dressing gown. I can tell by her face if she agrees with my comments. She makes me tea and gives her verdict."
"She's my rock—she helped raise my son so I could work. She sacrificed for my career. She once said, 'I guess I backed the right horse.' I'll never forget that."
Audrey's Perspective: Tough Love and Pride
Audrey recalls the cruise: "Shirley cried at dinner, breakfast—it got old. So I thought, what if I just smack her?" She describes Shirley as a conscientious child who always wanted to be best. "For her eighth birthday, I picked her friend as winner of a singing competition. Shirley had a huge tantrum."
Audrey worked extra jobs—bar work, cabarets, even forklift driving—to fund Shirley's dancing. "I was thrilled to get divorced. I could make my own decisions. When I got COPD, I thought, it's fine. I'll survive. I still smoke. You're only here once."
Audrey sometimes attends events with Shirley but prefers her own company. "I do washing and ironing; she cooks. We both like cleaning and are always on time. How would I describe her? Headstrong, a busy bee. I'm very proud of her, very proud indeed."
