BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Shirley Ballas leaves UK alongside toyboy lover

Strictly Come Dancing's head judge Shirley Ballas is taking a break on a cruise with her toyboy lover before the next series of the hit show returns in September. The 63-year-old star confirmed she was back in the top judging seat for the eighth year, but first is enjoying some alone time with actor Danny Taylor, 50.

The pair are enjoying a cruise and detailed some of the stops they've made. Shirley wrote: "Our @msccruisesofficial journey so far … we’ve explored, we’ve sang and we’ve dined. Xx @danieltayloresq.

"So far we’ve seen Vigo in Spain, Funchal in Portugal and our next port is Tenerife. It’s been fabulous to visit the towns and learn a little history.

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"Danny has found himself at home on the onboard karaoke club and I’ve throughly enjoyed the shows and food so far. Yesterday we dined in the speciality restaurant and the tomahawk steak was just devine. Have you ever cruised before ? Thank you @msccruisesofficial #MSCCruises #MSCVirtuosa #MasterpieceAtSea #Gifted."

Shirley has been dating Danny for five years after meeting him in a pantomime. She previously revealed they rarely get to spend time together, making the cruise even more special.

Shirley told Heat magazine last year that she had only seen him once in three months and revealed the reason for their lack of date days, saying: "He's just as busy as well. He’s currently doing a play called By The Waters of Liverpool, and he’s also got a 13-year-old son.

"We talk regularly on the phone, so I suppose you could say we have a good FaceTime relationship. But it works. I’m not interested in getting another boyfriend, and he’s not interested in getting another girlfriend."

Earlier this year, Shirley revealed they weren't planning on getting married. She told The Sun: "We have a unique, unconventional relationship. It’s built on trust."

Shirley added: "There is no point in being under each other’s feet when you haven’t got time for each other. At our age, it works."