New Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Balley has suffered show's 'curse'

On Tuesday the official Strictly Come Dancing Twitter account announced Shirley Ballas, known as the 'Queen of Latin', would be joining the judging panel.

Shirely will replace Len Goodman, who stepped down after 12 years last Christmas. Lots of names were in the mix about who would join the panel, including that of former Strictly dancer Kristina Rihanoff who left in 2015 to have a baby.

However it looks like it could be quite awkward if the Russian dancer returns in any capacity as back in 2003 Shirley's husband left her for Kristina. Corkey Ballas was a dance teacher and left Shirley, his wife of 18 years, for Kristina who was his student.

Kristina is currently dating Ben Cohen who she danced with on the 2013 series of Strictly Come Dancing. At the time the rugby player was married to his childhood sweetheart Abbie, after the breakdown of their marriage Ben started dating Kristina which led to many speculating he'd left his wife for the dancer. However both Kristina and Ben have maintained they got together after his split.

Ben and Kristina have an 11-month-old daughter Milena.

Shirley will no doubt want to put her past behind her and focus on the dancing not drama when she starts filming for this year's show.

Strictly Come Dancing will return later in the year.