Shirley Ballas has revamped her dietary routine since hitting her 60s, now opting for just one substantial meal daily. The Strictly Come Dancing judge, 64, opened up about her decision to alter her eating habits after noticing weight gain during the programme’s live tour.
She emphasised the importance of looking after her health in a chat with The Sun newspaper: “The first year on the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ tour, I gained ten pounds just in that one month. Then I realised you cannot eat breakfast, lunch and dinner, Shirley, you are over the age of 60!
“I’ve realised the body doesn’t need as much food as I keep stuffing in my face, so I do take care of it.’ I don’t have anything in the morning and normally around lunch I’ll have a juice, and then about 4 or 5pm my mother does a lovely meal.”
Previously, Shirley confessed her aspirations to age with grace and maintain her fitness to secure her position on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ well into her 80s.
The ex-dancer, who became a part of the show’s judging panel in 2017, shared her vision with the BBC: “I think the next 20 years will be big, bright, bold, and beautiful, with the show only getting better and better.
“And I’m sure there’s lots of talent out there waiting to hit the dance floor. I’d love to think that in another 20 years, I’d still be judging!”
She attributed the show’s enduring success to its “loyal audience” who faithfully tune in every week.
Shirley said: “Well, first of all, ‘Strictly’ means everything to me, and I’m so proud to be part of the show, and I know it means a lot to the public. I think the success is rooted in the loyal audience. We wouldn’t have a show if it wasn’t for the loyal audience tuning in each week, every Saturday and Sunday.
“I think it’s one of the only shows on television that can truly bring families together on a weekend. They sit there from four years old all the way up to Grandpa and Grandma. Everybody can have their opinion, disagree, and have that family fun. And I love that.”