Dance legend Shirley Ballas joins Grace to chat all things comfort eating. From wedding buffets to steamy backstage rendezvous, they reminisce about school dinners, favorite treats, and indulging in coffee cake. Shirley also shares stories about her upbringing, meeting Corky Ballas, and her happiness at her family's success.
Shirley Ballas shares her love for comfort foods, especially coffee cake with whipped cream.
Shirley Ballas reflects on her personal struggles, including the loss of her brother to suicide.
Deep dives
Career in Dance and Comfort Foods
Shirley Ballas, the head judge on BBC One's competition Strictly Come Dancing, shares insights into her career in dance. She recounts her passion for dancing, her early training, and the sacrifices she made to achieve success. Shirley discusses the comfort foods that have been a part of her life, including her favorite snack: coffee cake with whipped cream.
Growing Up and Family Life
Shirley Ballas opens up about her childhood and family life. She discusses her close relationship with her older brother and their experiences growing up in a challenging neighborhood. Shirley shares stories of her hardworking mother and the meals they enjoyed as a family, including Sunday roasts and special treats from the local cake shop.
Finding Love and Career Transitions
Shirley Ballas reflects on her romantic relationships and career transitions. She talks about falling in love with her dance partners and the challenges and sacrifices that came with it. Shirley also shares the story of leaving her first husband to pursue a new opportunity in the dance world. She discusses the highs and lows of her dancing career and the impact it had on her personal life.
Personal Struggles and Triumphs
Shirley Ballas opens up about the personal struggles she has faced, including the unexpected loss of her brother to suicide. She talks about the impact it had on her and her journey to cope with the loss. Shirley also discusses her role as the head judge on Strictly Come Dancing and how it has brought new opportunities and success in her life. She encourages listeners to never give up on their dreams and to embrace their own unique beauty.
This week, Grace heads out of her kitchen and into the home of dance legend Shirley Ballas to cha-cha-chat all things Comfort Eating. Shirley’s become TV royalty as head judge on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, but she’d already been ruling the dancefloor for decades. She and Grace chat about wedding buffets, steamy backstage rendezvous and where to stand in the queue to get the best helping of school dinner. And, as ever, the comfort snacks she turns to when she kicks off her dancing shoes Buy Grace’s new Comfort Eating book, inspired by the podcast, here. The book is a wonderfully scrumptious, life-affirming journey through the foods that really mean the most to us
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