Strictly Come Dancing 2018: Shirley Ballas reveals all about her sons romance with Ashley Roberts

Woman's Strictly columnist reacts to the rumours her son, Mark Ballas, used to date show contestant Ashley Roberts.

EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO MERCHANDISING Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock (9799343u) Shirley Ballas 'Loose Women' TV show, London, UK – 22 Aug 2018 Waltzing into the studio today, it's Shirley Ballas! The lead judge on Strictly Come Dancing is our guest panelist today and she will be giving us her views on the the line-up, which has been criticised by some as being a little obscure. Also why she's the victim of her own Strictly curse. She'll be filling us in on what she has been up to since we last saw her, including her appearance on the BBC's 'Who Do You Think You Are?' where she made some shocking discoveries about her family history. She'll also talking about the real reason she took her dog on a plane with her!

Shirley Ballas has confirmed rumours her son, Mark Ballas, used to date current Strictly star Ashley Roberts.

Writing in her Woman column, Shirley said, “Id like to clarify that Ashley [Roberts] and my son, Mark, dated seven or eight years ago and she remains a friend.”

But, the 58-year-old confirmed that Ashleys past with her son wont affect how shes scored on the leader board.

“I always judge without fear or favour; I have met lots of the professional dancers on dance shows – many have passed through my books, theyre all treated the same.”

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‪Look who I ran into in Blackpool @chloehewitt27 and @aj11ace. So great to see these two amazingly talented #Strictly Pros

A post shared by Shirley Ballas (@shirleyballas) on May 30, 2017 at 9:25am PDT

It was last month that the rumours emerged, with a source claiming, “Mark and Ashley enjoyed a number of cosy dates but decided they would be better off as friends.

“You have to wonder, given their background, whether it will make things awkward for Shirley to judge Ashley.”

It isnt the first time Ashleys time on the show has been shrouded in controversy, as fans have blasted the show for being a fix with her topping the leader board two weeks in a row.

Its no secret that the Pussycat Dolls star comes from a dance background, which fans of the show have called “unfair” on Twitter.

“As brilliant as she is I really dont think its fair for Ashley Roberts to be in #Strictly. Shes a pro dancer and she was a judge on Dancing On Ice. Such an unfair advantage,” one tweeted.

Another said, “I think its unfair that #Strictly let professional dancer Ashley Roberts complete on strictly.”