Eurovision viewers SHOCKED as Shirley Ballas speaks on stage in ‘totally different’ accent
Viewers of the Big Welcome concert of the Eurovision Song Contest were shocked on Monday by Shirley Ballas’s ‘ridiculously northern’ accent.
The Strictly star, 62, surprised many when it was revealed she was born in nearby Merseyside before taking the stage at the pre-recorded event in Liverpool.
Shirley read a poem to the packed audience, with fans at home shocked by her sudden Northern drawl.
One viewer commented on Twitter: ‘Shirley Ballas usually sounds a bit fancier when she’s not reading poems about Liverpool’.
While another said: ‘I’m getting all proud of where you’re from. I’m straight from SE15… Peckham to be exact (don’t diss Rye Lane). BUT why would Shirley Ballas put on such a ridiculously strong Liverpudlian accent to read a poem; an accent we never hear on Strictly?’.
Back to her roots: Viewers of Eurovision’s Big Welcome concert were shocked on Monday by Shirley Ballas’s ‘ridiculous northern’ accent
Star turn: The Strictly star, 62, surprised many when it was revealed she was born in nearby Merseyside before taking the stage at the star-studded event in Liverpool
Nonetheless, viewers were thrilled to see Shirley back on screens with a fan comment, “Shirley Ballas is camp. I’m not even sorry Glasgow isn’t hosting – Liverpool absolutely understood the brief.”
And gushing over her poem, another said, “Wow! strong, beautiful words’.
Shirley was born in 1960 Wallasey, five miles from Liverpool, at the age of 15 she moved to North Yorkshire to follow her dance dream before traveling the world.
The stars were out en masse on Sunday evening to attend the National Lotteryis big Eurovision Welcome event outside St George’s Hall in Liverpool.
On stage at the event were a slew of performers – some affiliated with previous competitions and others adding to the roster – including Alexandra Burke, Zara Larsson and the return of Conchita.
Pregnant Alexandra took the stage in a flowing white dress that masked her belly. Zara, meanwhile, was sizzling in a little flesh-toned ensemble alongside Conchita, real name Thomas Neuwirth, opting for signature glamour.
Among the performers who performed for the crowd of 30,000 on Sunday were Alexandra, Zara, Conchita alongside Atomic Kitten and Frankie Goes to Hollywood, who will reunite after their 1987 split.
Other acts with a Liverpool connection on the line-up included funk band The Real Thing and The Lightning Seeds – singers of the football anthem Three Lions.
Camp as Christmas: Nevertheless, viewers were thrilled to see Shirley back on screens with a fan comment, “Shirley Ballas is camp. I’m not even sorry Glasgow isn’t hosting – Liverpool absolutely got the job done’
Dynamic duo: Shirley (left) was joined on stage by the evening’s host, Aj Odudu (right) for a dance
Surprise: On Twitter, one viewer commented: ‘Shirley Ballas usually sounds a bit more posh when she’s not reading poems about Liverpool’
Zara turned up the heat in the scant ensemble consisting of a shimmering top and petite skort — skirt and shorts hybrid — as she joined a team of dancers.
She wore sparkly boots that complemented her waterfall neck top.
Her blonde locks were styled in loose curls and she wore top stage makeup consisting of glittering eyes and a glossy lip.
Zara rose to fame when she won the 2008 season of Talang, the Swedish adaptation of the Got Talent franchise, at the age of 10, winning 500,000 kroner.
Leading the way: A slew of stars took the stage at the event – some joining previous leagues and others adding to the roster – including Alexandra Burke, Zara Larsson (pictured) and the return of Conchita
Eurovision legend: Conchita, real name Thomas Neuwirth, who went for her signature glamor in a dazzling black ensemble when she returned to the stage after her 2014 win
Wow! The epic event started with aerial photographers coming down from the sky
Former X Factor winner Alexandra’s garment swung around as she walked across the stage. The star increased her height by wearing a pair of open-toed heels and accessorizing with gold hoop earrings that matched the straps of her shoes.
Conchita made her big return to the Eurovision stage after her victory in 2014.
The dramatic performer – the work of Thomas – became an icon after her win on the show. Thomas has previously stated that he is not a trans woman.
He is gay and has also described himself as a drag queen. He uses pronouns to describe his Conchita Wurst character, but he/him uses pronouns when referring to himself/herself.