Shirley Ballas put her life in Anton Du Beke’s hands (Picture: Getty)
Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has set the standard for daring dance moves for this year’s upcoming series, on the Strictly live tour.
Shirley, 62, wowed the audience as she performed a dangerous ‘headbanger’ move with fellow judge Anton Du Beke, 54, during Wednesday’s show at the SSE Arena in Belfast.
The maneuver involves being swung around by the ankles and, if not executed carefully, can result in a very painful knock to the floor, giving the move its namesake.
If it sounds familiar, it’s because it’s often performed on Dancing On Ice, (usually with extra medics to hand, just in case), but this is the first time it’s been attempted in the name of Strictly.
Despite the risks, Shirley went into it head first (literally) and put her life in Anton’s hands. And what a move it was, though it was third-time lucky for the duo, who tried the move more than once before it went off without a head… hitch.
During the live show, host Janette Manrara asked Shirley if there were any couples she would like to dance with.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
After Shirley revealed she wanted to be ‘swung round by the ankles by Anton’, fellow judge Craig Revel Horwood responded there was ‘no time like the present’.
The pair were unable to perfect the move immediately, with Shirley landing on her stomach on the first go. After the move not taking off a second time –prompting Craig, who never beats around the bush, to call it a ‘complete dance disaster,’ the pair tried a final time.
Shirley was willing to risk it all (Picture: Instagram/@shirleyballas)
The crowd were wowed by the fearless pair (Picture: Instagram/@shirleyballas)
They nailed it in the end (Picture: Instagram/@shirleyballas)
Happily, it was third time lucky as Anton was able to send Shirley spinning perfectly through the air.
Considering Shirley revealed she’d undergone a non-surgical facelift very recently, her three attempts at the dangerous move are even more courageous.
More: Trending
The judge said she was ‘delighted’ with the results and explained that she’d initially wanted a ‘proper knife job’ but settled on a non-surgical facelift due to health concerns.
The award-winning dancer proudly flaunted her sharp new jawline, quipping: ‘Look at that jaw. Come on, I’m 63 this year!’
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly ‘sign even bigger six-figure deal’ to host Strictly Come Dancing
You have to see it to believe it!
