Nobody likes a successful woman, says Shirley Ballas

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Shirley Ballas, lead judge on Strictly Come Dancing, has responded to criticism that she plays favorites, suggesting the negativity stems from some people being uncomfortable with successful women.

The 65-year-old spoke openly about how successful women frequently face criticism and negativity, particularly in the entertainment industry, where genuine friendships can be rare.

These remarks come after the surprising announcement last week that Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, the hosts of Strictly Come Dancing, will be leaving the show at the end of the year.

The star, originally from Liverpool, has faced a lot of criticism during her eight years as the head judge on Strictly Come Dancing.

After working in the dance world for over forty years, this expert believes it’s very difficult for women to reach the highest levels of their profession.

She recently shared at the Wimbledon Book Festival that while many people act like friends, she believes the vast majority of those she interacts with daily are actually bothered by her success as a woman.

Even people you’re close to – like girlfriends or good friends – can sometimes make sarcastic comments or send subtle, indirect messages.

Recently, Shirley Ballas has faced criticism for seeming to favor male celebrities. In 2023, the negativity escalated to the point where she admitted she was afraid to go outside after receiving threats of violence.

The situation led BBC show producers to adjust the format this season. Now, all four judges will share the deciding vote when a celebrity is eliminated, rather than just one judge, to avoid singling out Shirley Ballas for each departure.

Shirley Ballas, known as the “Queen of Latin” due to her success as a Latin dancer, also discussed the difficulties faced by older women working in show business.

It’s challenging for women to have a long career in my field, and I’m proud to still be working at 65. It’s a real accomplishment, at least for me and what I’ve experienced.

 

Call The Midwife star laments lack of roles giving since birth

Jennifer Kirby, known for her role in Call The Midwife and a new mother herself, has spoken about the lack of acting opportunities for women considered ‘older’ – and she’s only 37. She’s noticed this issue firsthand as she’s navigated her career.

Between 2017 and 2020, Kirby played Nurse Valerie Dyer on the BBC, and she’s also been in ITV’s Endeavour. However, after having her first child in July via C-section, she feels like she’s been overlooked for acting roles.

She shared online that she’s gone through immense challenges, rebuilt her life, and found strength within herself to weather difficult times.

I feel like I have a lot more to give now, but unfortunately, I’m facing fewer chances because of how I look.

 

Vanessa grateful for colour-blind casting

Vanessa Williams, the American actress, is receiving rave reviews for her performance as the cold and demanding Miranda Priestly in the musical adaptation of ‘The Devil Wears Prada,’ currently playing at the Dominion Theatre in London.

The 62-year-old actress is thankful for the producer’s approach to casting, which focused on her skills rather than her race. This allowed her to be considered for the famous role originally played by Meryl Streep in the 2006 film.

Accepting the Entertainer of the Year award at the 2026 Powerlist Celebration of Black Excellence Awards in London, she explained that when she was offered the opportunity, the people involved already knew what she was capable of. She believes her race wasn’t a factor, and they simply recognized she could do the job, which was what mattered most.

Looking back on the award, she shared, ‘After more than 40 years in this industry, it feels great to be recognized, especially here in London by a new group of people. It’s been a wonderful experience.’

 

Michael McIntyre’s tip to silence noisy neighbours

Comedian Michael McIntyre purchased his luxurious Hampstead home for £10 million five years ago. The house features eight bedrooms, plus amenities like a swimming pool, gym, and home cinema.

Yet the funnyman still has to deal with bothersome neighbours.

McIntyre shared a story about a previous issue with his neighbors – they played loud music outside, and he initially avoided complaining. He mentioned this while performing a warm-up show at Soho Theatre before his Hello America! tour in the US.

McIntyre admits he intentionally played the same song as someone else, but at a slightly different time, simply to annoy them. He believes it was a clever move, and also mentions he owns a country home in Wiltshire.

The comedian, age 49, shared that this is a typical British approach: dealing with difficult situations without causing a fuss or arguing.

 

Most celebrity marriages don’t last, but Sir David Suchet, famous for playing Poirot, is proving that wrong. He and his wife, Sheila, will soon be celebrating 50 years of marriage, and he says he knew he loved her the moment he met her.

The actor, now 79, recalls being instantly captivated when he first met Sheila at a dinner in London. He says he fell in love right away and, after fifty years, still wonders if she felt the same. They first met in 1972 while working together at the Coventry Theatre company.

 

Carrie ‘terrified’ of fat jabs

Many celebrities use weight-loss drugs to stay in shape, but musical theatre performer Carrie Hope Fletcher doesn’t plan to.

The actress, 33, is worried about potential side effects, she shared ahead of tonight’s opening of ‘Elf the Musical’ in London’s West End.

She admits the vaccines are appealing, but she’s worried about potential long-term health problems that might not become apparent for a decade.

Carrie Fletcher, sister of Tom Fletcher from the band McFly, welcomed her first child last year with her husband, Joel Montague, who she met while both performing in Elf the Musical. She’s expressed pride in her body after becoming a mother.

She explains that she sees her body as a reflection of her life experiences. She’s proud of her figure, including her stomach, because it carried and nurtured her child for nine months.

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2025-10-28 03:50