STRICTLY Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas will be swapping the dancefloor for the Hippodrome stage later this year to star in the Darlington theatre’s annual pantomime.

The Hippodrome is announcing today that the dance champion will star in the festive family pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk as Mother Nature, helping Jack outwit the evil giant and win his fortune and the hand of the girl he loves.

Ms Ballas has danced since the age of seven and is three-time ‘British Open to the World’ Latin American Champion, ten-time US Latin American Champion and multiple British National Champion.

By the age of 21 she had won nearly every major title she competed in worldwide.

The Northern Echo:

Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Bruno Tonioli, Dame Darcey Bussell - (C) BBC - Photographer: Ray Burmiston.

She is the only person ever to have won the British open to the world Latin American championships in Blackpool with two different partners and she reached the finals an impressive 17 times.

Since hanging up her competition heels 20 years ago, Ms Ballas has forged a successful career as one of the top ballroom and Latin teachers and judges in the world.

She is now the head judge on the BBC’s primetime show Strictly Come Dancing along with Darcey Bussell.

She also gives masterclasses, and is a commentator, on the popular American series Dancing with the Stars, as well as being a panellist on Loose Women.

She was the subject of a BBC1 Who Do You Think You Are family history show and climbed Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief’s Return to Kili.

Last year she made her pantomime debut for producers Qdos Entertainment in Liverpool, and Qdos is also producing this year’s Hippodrome show.

Jake Hine, Executive Producer for Qdos Entertainment, said: “I’m thrilled that we have managed to tempt Shirley out from behind the Strictly judging desk to show Darlington audiences just why she’s considered one of the world’s finest dancers.

“After her debut in pantomime for us last year I know Hippodrome audiences will enjoy yet another fantastic show this festive season.”

Darlington Hippodrome Director Lynda Winstanley said: “Strictly Come Dancing is one of the most popular programmes on television.

"Who better to star in Darlington’s best pantomime than head judge Shirley Ballas.

" I’m sure Darlington audiences will be as excited as we are to see Shirley tripping the light fantastic on the Hippodrome stage.”

  • Jack and the Beanstalk runs at Darlington Hippodrome from Friday December 6 this year to Sunday January 5 2020.
  • For full details and to book visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk or call 01325 405405.