On the Strictly Live tour, Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has set the benchmark for risky dance moves for this year’s forthcoming series.
Shirley, 62, impressed the audience with a hazardous ‘headbanger’ routine with fellow judge Anton Du Beke, 54, during Wednesday’s programme at Belfast’s SSE Arena.
The motion includes being swung around by the ankles and, if not done correctly, can result in a painful hit against the floor, hence the name.
If it sounds familiar, it’s because it’s frequently performed on Dancing On Ice (typically with extra medics on standby in case something goes wrong), but this is the first time it’s been tried in the name of Strictly.
Despite the hazards, Shirley dived in head first (literally) and trusted Anton with her life. And what a move that was, but it took three tries for the couple to get it right.
During the live programme, host Janette Manrara asked Shirley whether she wanted to dance with any couples.
After Shirley stated she wanted to be’swung around by Anton’, fellow judge Craig Revel Horwood commented that there was ‘no time like the present’.
Shirley landed on her stomach on the first try, and the two were unable to complete the manoeuvre right away. After the routine failed to take off a second time, causing Craig, who never minces words, to declare it a “total dancing disaster,” the duo attempted one more time.


Fortunately, it was third time lucky for Anton, who was able to spin Shirley flawlessly in the air.
Shirley’s three tries at the perilous act are even more daring given that she just underwent a non-surgical facelift.
The judge expressed her ‘pleasure’ with the results, explaining that she had wanted a ‘full knife job’ but had compromised on a non-surgical facelift owing to health concerns.
‘Look at that jaw,’ said the award-winning dancer, proudly flaunting her new jawline. ‘Come on, I’m turning 63 this year!’