The BBC judge opened up about a moment that happened while the cast tour across the UK
Strictly Come Dancing star Shirley Ballas praised Vito Coppola as she shared an on-stage moment during the live tour.
Former professional dancer Shirley Ballas joined Strictly Come Dancing as the new Head Judge in 2017, making her debut in Series 15, replacing Len Goodman and judging alongside the established panel.
With Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman having stepped down from their hosting duties after the latest series, Shirley recently shared: “Everyone was surprised. I share the changing room next to them, and they are full of giggles and laughter.”
With Tess and Claudia being a major part of the BBC dance show for many years, Shirley admitted: “They also showed me the way from when I joined until now, so it will be a sad day when they go.”
At the moment, Shirley has joined some of the Strictly cast as they head out on another live tour for the BBC show. With their opening night in Birmingham, the tour will then conclude on February 15 at The O2 Arena in London.
After the opening show, Shirley had shared: “I’m still on a high from last night’s opening @strictlycomedancinglive … Birmingham, you were beautiful. Thank you for coming out to see us. We are ready for the road. It’s going to be a blast. Hugs. X”.
Stars from the latest series who fans will be able to watch on tour are Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola, George Clarke and Alexis Warr, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Karen Hauer, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Lauren Oakley, La Voix and Aljaž Škorjanec, Lewis Cope and Katya Jones, and Vicky Pattison with Kai Widdrington.
Taking to her Instagram, Shirley posted a picture of her and professional dancer Vito Coppola on the stage where she praised her co-star for supporting her after a “slip” on the stage.
She penned: “When you slip and your partner has you safe in his arms. @vitocoppola simply the best xxx” to which Vito reposted the snap to his own Instagram story.
This comes just weeks after Shirley was rushed to hospital after falling backwards off a stool and hitting her head on a glass table. Following the incident, Shirley was given a brain scan and has since shared an update with her followers on social media.
In an Instagram story post, she wrote: “Thank you to all who reached out to see how I’m doing. Scary fall backwards hitting my head on the glass dressing table :(. Trip to hospital to get a brain scan.
“Fortunately for me no cracked skull,” she told fans. “I’ll rest a few days to heel my neck and back. [sic] Hugs thank you to @barbara_mccoll for getting my emergency appointment to Sammy Stopford for taking me, and sitting with me all day. [sic]”
After explaining the incident, she then ended the message with: “Gratitude as the Dr said I was very lucky,” before ending the message with a heart emoji.

