My Life

Behind the Sequins

The sensational autobiography from the Queen of Latin Ballroom and Strictly head judge, Shirley Ballas.

Leave it all on the floor... 
 
Queen of Latin Ballroom, Shirley Ballas has a spectacular dance career spanning over 40 years – she has Cha-Cha'd her way across the world's dance floors to become a multi-award-winning ballroom champion and one of the most renowned dancers in the world. In 1996, Shirley retired from competitive dancing to become a highly-acclaimed coach and now holds the enviable position of Head Judge on BBC One's prime time show Strictly Come Dancing. 
 
In Behind the Sequins, she leads us through her dramatic and determined life, from growing up in a rough estate on the Wirral and leaving home at 14 years old, to conquering the high-octane world of ballroom and coping with betrayal, bullying, two broken marriages and a personal tragedy that left Shirley and her family devastated. 
 
Speaking from the heart, Shirley leaves her dancing shoes at the door to tell you the story of a fiery, strong-willed grafter who could make the brat pack blush.

Shirley Ballas

Life lessons from the world of dance

Leave it all out on the floor... 
 
After twenty years of shiny floors, sambas, and sequins, we’re more captivated than ever by the ‘Strictly Journey’ – a contestant’s inspirational roller-coaster ride of personal growth as they learn each new routine. It’s a process that requires stamina, resilience, and an openness to total self-expression - and it teaches you as much about yourself as it does the dance. 
 
No one knows this journey more deeply than Strictly’s Head Judge, Shirley Ballas. In Best Foot Forward, she takes you on her own personal journey, sharing the tools she’s developed to live life to the fullest. 
 
Grounded in the world of dance, Shirley’s life lessons offer a unique toolkit for navigating everyday challenges. Each chapter is anchored by a key principle that Shirley has learned from both personal and professional experiences, collecting fascinating stories on and off the dance floor of open-mindedness (‘Listen to the Music’), self-confidence (‘Dress the Part’), managing change (‘Learn to Pivot’), working with others (‘Trust Your Partner’) and more. 
 
Written with her trademark unguarded and nurturing style, Best Foot Forward takes you on an inspirational tour through Shirley’s toolkit for living a vibrant and fulfilling life.

Shirley Ballas

Books by Shirley Ballas

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter