Shirley Ballas, 61, says boyfriend Daniel Taylor, 48, has engagement ring but hasn’t proposed

Shirley Ballas has revealed that her lover Daniel Taylor has bought her an engagement ring but hasn’t proposed yet.

The strict judge, 61, joked in a new interview that she always “gives him a push” to get down on one knee, but has told her he’ll “do it when he’s ready.”

In the chat, Shirley also responded to Strictly viewers who accused her of making “sexist” comments about the show and favoring the male contestants.

Speaking of her relationship with Daniel, Shirley said she doesn’t want to push the engagement too much because the more she nudges him “the more he takes ten steps back.”

She said The sun: ‘We do have a ring in the safe. It was a real worry, and not a small thing to get that ring together.

‘I like everything prepared and organised. . . he says, ‘I’ll do it when I’m ready’.

Not happy: In the chat, Shirley also responded to Strictly viewers who were accused of making “sexist” comments about the show and favoring the male contestants

“I always give him a push. But the more you push him, the more he takes ten steps back.

“So let’s see when he’s done. He’s never been married and I’ve been married twice.’

Shirley and Daniel – who have 13 years between them – first went public with her relationship in March 2019 after meeting in November 2018 while doing panto.

Previously spoken with Fine magazine, Shirley described her partner as “The One” and admitted she thinks he’d be nervous about proposing.

Love: The strict judge, 61, joked in a new interview that she always ‘gives him a push’ to get down on one knee but has told her he’ll ‘do it when he’s ready’

The professional dancer was previously married to former ballroom star Sammy Stopford from 1980 to 1984.

She then married fellow dancer Corky Ballas in 1985, with the couple splitting up in 2007 after 22 years together.

Shirley and Corky are parents to son Mark, 35, who is a professional dancer with Dancing With The Stars in the US.

Shirley revealed in late 2020 that she plans to get engaged to boyfriend Danny in 2021, and has not ruled out proposing herself.

Romance: Shirley and Daniel – who have 13 years between them – first went public with her relationship in March 2019 after meeting at panto in November 2018

It comes as Shirley has become embroiled in a strict “sexism” row – something she has furiously retaliated against.

Shirley, who took on the lead judge role in 2017, is at the center of another fix feud as some Twitter trolls demand she be fired for her criticism of the series’ celebrities.

She recently defended herself on Loose Women while calling out the “hurtful” and “explicit” comments online.

Shirley was asked about one of the last episodes of Strictly, in which the audience saw singer Fleur East step into the dance alongside Radio 2 star Richie Anderson.

While Shirley’s three co-judges Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel-Horwood and Anton Du Beke voted to save Fleur and send Richie home, Shirley admitted she would have saved Richie.

In addition to claims that she prefers male participants on the show, Shirley has been accused of having “favorites, whether they have ability or not,” with many arguing that Fleur had been the superior dancer to Richie.

Saying her: It’s because Shirley has become embroiled in a strict ‘sexism’ row – something she has furiously retaliated against

But now in her interview with The Sun, she has hit back, saying it’s the audience that puts certain people in the bottom two.

Speaking of the reaction, she said on Loose Women earlier this month: ‘There has been a lot of resistance and trolling.

“I appreciate that the audience has been there for twenty years,” she continued, “but if you look at a screen, you can only see half of what I see, the feet and everything. I like that they have an opinion, but then it goes too far and it’s not fun.’

“It’s a hard industry and it’s been a hard industry all my life,” she said before her voice broke, admitting, “I’m getting emotional already.”

Out: A few weeks ago, the public saw Fleur voices in the dance along with Richie Anderson. While Shirley’s three co-judges voted to save Fleur, Shirley said she would have saved Richie

Saturdays are the ultimate job. I read everything. I know people say no, but I think it’s very important. I like to think that I have helped so many people over the years, people with psychological problems.’

“But it’s really hurtful, some language is so explicit I couldn’t even retweet it, it’s unfathomable.”

Shirley explained her decision, pointing out that it was the public mood that made Fleur dance.

“Why were they in the bottom two if they’re your favorite?” she said. “I have to choose what I like, I judge from top to bottom.”

Saved: Shirley finds herself at the center of another fix row as trolls demand she be fired for her criticism of contestants, including her comment that Fleur should have been sent home a few weeks ago

“I chose Richie to save because the Samba is hard to dance and I look at the footwork and I loved Fleur too!”

Shirley also explained how she’s experienced bullying since she started her career, admitting that “it escalated, so it makes you resilient.”

“When you read it, the wall goes up. I don’t have a mean bone in my body. You don’t have to agree with me, but we can still talk as humans.’

Fans rush to defend Shirley after the show’s head judge was accused of sexism in the furious social media.

Shirley is a three-time Latin American Champion, ten-time American Latin American Champion and multiple British National Champion, and many fans point to her extensive experience in defending the star.

‘Shirley gives purely constructive criticism. A dance examiner provides constructive commentary. How can anyone else improve themselves or correct their mistakes. Shirley is a fantastic judge,” one fan tweeted Monday.

Criticism: Fans rush to defend Shirley after the show’s chief judge was accused of sexism in a furious social media pile (pictured in this weekend’s show)