Shirley Ballas has reportedly been on a number of dates with panto star Daniel Taylor.
The 58-year-old dancing professional – who is twice divorced – is believed to have been getting to know her Jack And The Beanstalk co-star, who is 14 years younger than her, after they shared the stage in the show over Christmas at the Liverpool Empire theatre.
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According to The Sun, the pair were spotted looking cosy on a recent date in London.
An onlooker told the publication: “Shirley and Daniel looked like young lovers who didn’t have a care in the world. It was very sweet to see.”
The head judge on Strictly Come Dancing is said to be taking things slowly, with an insider insisting the pair are not in a relationship.
They added: “She has been in the very early days of dating Daniel. But she is not in a relationship and he is not her boyfriend.
“Shirley has been open about being single for the past four-and-half years but feels ready to put herself out there again and start enjoying life.”
#HappyPantoDay everyone!
How lucky I get to spend the festive season with these two very lovely and amazingly talented humans. Opening day of our panto run ( 2pm) @LiverpoolEmpire today.
Lets do this!! #JackAndTheBeanstalk @ShirleyBallas @johnevanscomic @QdosPantomimes pic.twitter.com/vUGzCOq9Wt— Daniel Taylor (@DanielTayloresq) December 14, 2018
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ED! has contacted representatives for Shirley for comment.
Shirley has shared several selfies with Daniel and her other co-stars on social media, and reportedly called him a “very funny handsome man” in one of the snaps.
Shirley’s dates with Daniel come after she revealed she has been seeing someone “nice”.
The Liverpudlian admitted while appearing on Lorraine that she had a new man in her life, and that her son Mark, 32 – whom she has with second husband Corky Ballas – helped her to build up her confidence to get back in the dating game.
When host Lorraine Kelly asked if she was currently seeing someone, she remained coy but said: “Yes, I have met somebody nice.”
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Shirley went on to explain that her son wants her to have a good relationship “over the age of 50”.
She said: “My son and his wife bought them for me for Christmas, they represent freedom. The butterflies that can fly in and out and land in different gardens.
“He [her son] is wishing for me to have a good relationship over the age of 50. He’s encouraging me to go out and date and out a little bit more on the scene.”
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