Shirley Ballas looked a beauty in blue as she presented prizes to the winners in Royal Ascot’s Wolferton Stakes race on Tuesday.
The Strictly Come Dancing judge, 63, smiled as she helped present prizes to the winners at Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire.
Shirley looked elegant for the occasion, wearing a light blue A-line dress, which had puff sleeves adorned with black bows and an attached ‘Ascot Authority’ badge.
She opted for white accessories to complete the look in the form of a pair of stilettos and a chain strap bag.
Most striking of all was Shirley’s enormous white rose-shaped hat, to which a mesh veil was attached.
Shirley Ballas was a beauty in blue as she presented the prizes to the winners in Royal Ascot’s Wolferton Stakes race on Tuesday.
The Strictly Come Dancing judge, 63, smiled as she helped present awards to the winners at Ascot Racecourse.
Shirley was also seen watching some of the action during Tuesday’s races.
The former professional dancer was in high spirits as she watched enthusiastically from the stands.
Shirley’s appearance comes as she showed her support for Giovanni Pernice amid a BBC investigation into allegations of “serious misconduct” against him.
For weeks, executives have been investigating allegations that professional dancer Giovanni, who recently lost his spot on the show, behaved “abrastically” toward his famous partner, Amanda Abbington.
And now head judge Shirley has hailed Giovanni as a “true gentleman” and said “the truth will come out.”
Speaking at Chorleywood Memorial Hall, Herts, on Monday while promoting his new book Murder On The Dancefloor, he said: “What I feel about Giovanni is: let them do this investigation or whatever they are doing and the truth will come out.”
‘So we don’t judge anyone until they know absolutely 100 percent. I will not pass on gossip unless I am 100 percent sure it is true.
‘I have never, ever experienced any ill will, bad feeling, bad sportsmanship or rudeness on his part. He will be missed.’
Shirley looked elegant for the occasion, wearing a light blue A-line dress.
Shirley opted for white accessories to complete the look in the form of a pair of stiletto heels and a chain strap bag.
Most striking of all was Shirley’s enormous white rose-shaped hat, to which a mesh veil was attached.
Shirley’s dress had puffed sleeves trimmed with black bows and an “Ascot Authority” badge attached.
Shirley was also seen catching some of the action during Tuesday’s races.
The former professional dancer was in high spirits as she watched enthusiastically from the stand.
Elsewhere, Shirley described Giovanni as a “hard worker” who always does his best.
She told Best magazine: “I think everyone in the Strictly cast is fantastic and I’ve known Giovanni for a long, long time.” I’ve known him probably longer than many people and can only speak from personal experience.
‘He has a work ethic that is the same as mine. He works hard and wants the best for anyone who wants to learn. He is a true gentleman and of course always looks incredibly handsome.
Shirley noted that Giovanni is an incredibly thoughtful person overall who goes out of his way to make someone feel “super special.”
And he added: “He always gives his best and always arrives on time, he is one of those very thoughtful people.”
‘He called me the other day to invite my mom to a show he was doing because they love each other. As popular as she is, she will always try to reach out to any fans who want to see her and will always make them feel super special.”
Despite the furore, head judge Shirley has supported the under-fire pro and will join him in hosting a series of dance classes in London next month.
Called Ballando, the one-day event is led by Shirley, Giovanni and Anton Du Beke as they share their experience with fans.
Strictly’s Shirley has backed Giovanni Pernice amid a BBC investigation into allegations of “serious misconduct” against him.
Strictly Chief Judge Shirley said: “What I feel about Giovanni is: let them do this investigation or whatever they are doing and the truth will come out.”
Despite the furore, head judge Shirley Ballas has backed the under-fire pro and will join him in hosting a series of dance classes in London next month alongside Anton Du Beke.
Giovanni’s absence from the Strictly line-up was revealed when the BBC shared the names of the professionals appearing this year.
This season will see the return of Amy Dowden, who was treated for breast cancer last year, alongside Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Márquez and Luba Mushtuk.
They are joined on the dance floor by Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola.
The BBC also confirmed the return of judges Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel-Horwood and Anton Du Beke.
Executive producer Sarah James said in a statement: “This year’s Strictly marks two decades of entertaining the nation and we’ll be back with a bang in September as we celebrate in style with our incredible team both on and off screen.”
