Strictly's Shirley Ballas teases 'I'm not allowed to say' as she details dating rejection

Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has admitted her recent application to a celebrity dating app was rejected.

Her confession comes just a week after the ballroom legend revealed she had joined dating app Raya, though it seems other platforms haven’t been as welcoming.

The revelation occurred on tonight’s (Tuesday, 9th September) edition of BBC’s The One Show, when presenter Alex Jones queried: “Now, can we share that you’ve joined a dating app.”

Realising her slip-up, she added: “Well, we have. Just then.”

Shirley was left in stitches as fellow guest, comedian Tom Davis quipped: “Got the cat out the bag there, Alex!”

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The Strictly icon was then forced to correct the host: “Well, shall we say, I tried to join a dating app. Twice.

“And my PA got accepted and I got declined, twice.”

Shirley was joined on the green sofas by Tom as well as Heartstopper star Joe Locke as Tuesday’s show was presented by Alex and Lauren Laverne.

Joe tried to quiz Shirley on which app she tried to join, but Shirley quickly shut him down: “We’re not allowed to say, it’s the BBC darling.”

Alex clearly wasn’t convinced any app would decline an application from the beloved dancer and Strictly judge.

She speculated: “Well, I think it’s probably because they think it’s not the real Shirley Ballas.”

However, the judge argued: “Well, I put everything in it, you know.”

But Alex insisted: “They’d love to have you, surely!” And Shirley quipped: “Decline! Decline! But we’ll accept [PA] Harry!”

Shirley, 65, was previously engaged to actor Danny Taylor, who is 13 years her junior, though she recently told the Mirror her “toyboy” days are over.

“I reckon anything from 55 to 70 if they’re fit,” she quipped.

Shirley will be returning to the Strictly judges panel later this month alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse.

The 23rd series of the hit dancing competition has already been thrown into disarray as controversial contestant Thomas Skinner reportedly walked out of the launch event after rowing with a journalist.

Strictly Come Dancing returns Saturday, 20th September on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.