Shirley Ballas has signed up for a new pantomime coming this Christmas.
Shirley Ballas
The 'Strictly Come Dancing' head judge has joined the cast of 'Cinderella' for the seasonal productions at Blackpool's Winter Gardens later this year.
Shirley - who will play the Fairy Godmother - said: "I'm so thrilled to be coming home to Blackpool this Christmas. I have made so many special memories there. To be coming back to be part of the first pantomime there in over 60 years is such an honour. I can't wait!"
Tickets are already on sale for the show - running from December 13 to January 3 - which will be the first panto at Winter Gardens since the mid-1950s.
Pantomime has been good to Shirley as she met her boyfriend Daniel Taylor when she starred alongside him in 'Jack and the Beanstalk' at the Liverpool Empire Theatre over the Christmas period in 2018.
Before appearing in that production, Shirley took acting lessons so she would be completely prepared to tread the boards in the festive family production.
Shirley, 59, and 47-year-old Daniel's relationship is getting stronger and stronger and last month she revealed that they are considering adopting a child together.
The former ballroom dancer - who has 33-year-old son Mark Ballas with ex-husband Corky Ballas - said: "We have spoken about that.
"We're just in the realms of talking about it the last six months. If we have a home, we could give somebody a home."
Shirley explained she would also be willing to take in an older child, because it would be a chance to help someone who has "been in care" for a while.
She added: "I think it's really quite important. It doesn't matter who has the home, you could give a home to a child who's been in care for such a long time."