Thirty year age gap surprises

Strictly judge Shirley Ballas, 66, and Italian dancer Giuseppe Nonnis, 36, were spotted on a loved-up dog walk, appearing close.

His mother is younger

Giuseppe's mother Franca Nonnis, 56, is ten years younger than Shirley. She admitted being shocked to hear claims of the romance.

“Shirley is teaching Giuseppe, she's an excellent teacher, one of the best and my son is her student.”

Heartbroken from previous split

Franca said Giuseppe recently broke up with a longtime girlfriend and was heartbroken, making her doubt he's ready for another relationship.

“That's why I would be surprised if he was already in another relationship but if he is happy then I am happy.”

Just friendship, mother insists

Franca believes Giuseppe is just being friendly with Shirley. She says he's a loveable, sociable person who is sweet with everyone.

“Giuseppe is a very loveable and sociable person, he is sweet with everyone and if he was being friendly and if he is being close with Shirley then I'm sure it's just that, friendship and nothing more.”

Shirley visited his Hong Kong studio

Giuseppe flies between Hong Kong and Europe constantly. Shirley visited his dance studio in Hong Kong during the summer.

Five year relationship ended

Giuseppe split from Ukrainian dancer Daria Chesnokova last September after five years. He had described her as his life partner.

Mother says he was devastated

Franca said Giuseppe was very upset and heartbroken when his relationship with Daria ended. Longtime affairs take time to get over.

“He was heartbroken, they had been together for a long time, I met her when they came to Sardinia but they split up as sometimes happens.”

Shirley's son is older

Shirley's son Mark is just four years older than Giuseppe. She's been single since splitting from fiancé Danny Taylor in 2024.

Giuseppe gushed about his ex

Last March, Giuseppe posted about his love for Daria on social media, calling her 'my woman' and saying she became the biggest part of his life.

“You came into my life so unexpectedly and now you became the biggest part of it.”

Praised her resilience and positivity

Giuseppe thanked Daria for teaching him resilience and to never give up. He said he felt blessed to have met her.

“Thank you for teaching me resilience, to never give up and to see always the positive side in everything, doesn't matter what.”

Called her his best present

A year earlier, Giuseppe described their relationship as the best four years of his life, calling Daria his best present every single day.

“You are my best present every single day and there's only one happiness in life; to love and to be loved.”

Daria announced the split

Daria announced their partnership ended after five unforgettable years. She expressed gratitude for the memories and growth they shared.

“After five unforgettable years, my partnership with Giuseppe has come to an end.”

They danced together in Blackpool

Shirley and Giuseppe danced together at the Blackpool Dance Festival in May. Giuseppe described partnering with her as a huge honor.

“From a small child, looking up to you as one of my favourite dancers of all the time to partnering you is for me a huge honour.”

Paired again in Hong Kong

The pair performed together at a dance lecture in Hong Kong in July. Shirley thanked Giuseppe for being lovely to dance with and patient.

“So lovely to dance with, and patient during practice lol. Thank you and with gratitude.”

He attended her birthday party

Giuseppe was seen at Shirley's birthday party at Mamma Mia! The Party at the O2 in London. He was later spotted driving her Porsche.

Shirley had given up on love

Shirley previously said every relationship ended in disaster. She thought she wasn't put on Earth to have a relationship.

“I don't think I'm put on planet Earth to have a relationship. With my last boyfriend I thought that I'd found 'the one' and that also didn't work.”

Ex did unforgivable things

In April, Shirley said she had no interest in dating after ex Danny did quite unforgivable things. He often disappeared, triggering awful memories.

Most confident she's ever felt

Shirley is preparing for her tenth year on Strictly. She says she looks better now than ten years ago and feels the most confident ever.

“I look better now than I did 10 years ago.”