This is a good account of Shirley’s life and career
This book is written from the heart and is very interesting

Interesting read, following Shirley's drive, hard work and determination to make it in the dance world and the sacrifices that were needed in her personal life. Also liked the details on different styles of dance before many chapters.

Book Review: Behind the Sequins by Shirley Ballas

4 Star
Kindle Edition of the book provided free of charge by Netgalley in return for an honest review.

Strictly Come Dancing is one of those Saturday night guilty pleasures for me and I have grown to love the judges so was surprised when Len stepped down from being head judge. I hadn’t heard of Shirley Ballas before she joined Strictly as a judge so when I had the opportunity to review her autobiography I jumped at the chance.

I really enjoy reading autobiographies as they always provide an interesting insight to someone else’s life. Behind the Sequins is written in a way that means you can read it in Shirley Ballas’s voice and allows her personality to shine through the whole book.

In the early chapters of the book Shirley talks about growing up on an estate and the struggles of her family. She is clearly very appreciative of the support from her mother and brother particularly the hard work and dedication of her mother to give Shirley the opportunity to become one of the best dancers in the world. Although all of the credit can’t be given to her mother as although she gave her a great start to her dancing career the dedication, determination, and effort Shirley has put into her career really shines through when she explains the hurdles, she that she has gone through to achieve the things that she has.

It was also great to see that even though she was travelling a lot for her dancing career and spent a lot of time out of the UK she was able to maintain such close relationships with her Mum, brother, and son
The only thing that really disappointed me about this autobiography is that there were no pictures on the kindle edition which I read in comparison to what the physical version of an autobiography would usually have.
There were also some areas of her life in which Shirley seems to brush over and not go into as much detail compared to when she discusses other aspects of her life which is understandable as there is events in everyone’s life they wish to keep private.

Overall, this is an excellent book and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and gaining an insight into Shirley’s life. It also shows that if you put your mind to something you can achieve what you set your mind to.

When Len Goodman stepped down as head judge on Strictly I was gutted. I loved Len and his old school cockney charm. I wondered who would be able to tale his place. Would whoever it was be able to live up to his standards. I was worried. However, within minutes of Shirley Ballas's first appearance and her first dance critique I knew I liked her. She would give clear constructive criticism. She wasn't too nice and she wasn't too harsh. She really managed to find a good balance straight away. It probably helped that she was a fellow northerner - opposite side of the Mersey but still an honorary Scouser.
Shirley Ballas further won my approval when a family friend - an elderly lady in her 80s - was struggling to climb down some steps at Lime Street Station. Shirley Ballas saw her and helped her, linked her arm and made sure that my friend got to the place she needed to get to safely. So besides being a great judge, dancer, choreographer and teacher she also proved herself to be a pretty decent human being too.. It is for this and many other reasons that I will forever be a fan.
In her book Behind the Sequins, we get to read a real rags to riches story about a young working class girl growing up on a rough council estate and manages to change her life through dance.
Shirley Ballas' perseverance and determination saw her get to the top of her field, achieving the pinnacle of awards several times both in the UK and internationally and then use that talent as a dancer to trach others. To unselfishly impart that knowledge to the next generation. Her love of dance and what it can do is palpable and it dances off every page.
Ballas, however, did not have an easy life. Sometimes life has bee downright cruel - relationships, other competitors in the world of dance but none so moving as when she discusses the loss of her brother. She really lets her heart bleed on to the page.
I defy anyone to read Behind the Sequins and not be moved by Shirley Ballas's story and also be in awe of her durability in a world where everything is fast moving and trends come and go. Class - which is what Ballas oozes - lasts forever.
Behind the Sequins is a brilliant read and a must for any fan of Strictly.

I’ve always been a fan of Strictly Come Dancing and was intrigued to know more about head judge Shirley Ballas.

I found the early chapters learning about Shirley’s heritage and humble beginnings particularly interesting. She grew up on a housing estate with her mother working round the clock to support Shirley and brother David. It was without question, her mother’s work ethic which gave Shirley the sheer determination to become one of the world’s most successful ballroom dancers.

Although Shirley is incredibly proud and confident in her ability as a dancer, teacher and judge, she seems far more insecure about decisions she made in her personal life. I thought at times that Shirley was too critical of herself. She had an extremely successful career and was happy to pass on her knowledge and skills to anyone who shared her love of dancing. Her home was always open to aspiring dancers and although she worked away for weeks at a time, she managed to maintain a close relationship with her mother, brother and son.

This is a fascinating account which is honest and insightful. It is well written and shows how hard a successful dancer has to work in a harsh, male dominated industry. Shirley’s personal life features heavily along with family tragedy, broken marriages and global travel. I especially loved Shirley’s mother, an extremely strong lady who devoted herself to her family.

Shirley’s son Mark went on to become a highly successful dancer himself and appears as a professional dancer on Dancing With The Stars in the American version of Strictly.

I enjoyed this book, I thought she came across as very down to earth. I can’t say I have seen her on strictly, but for me that didn’t matter. A very entertaining read.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

Like most people I recognised Shirley Ballas from Strictly Come Dancing, but had no idea of her life, so was intrigued to read this book on kindle, and really enjoyed it. Her life from a child latin dance star through the trials, triumphs and disappointments of dance competitions, marriages and starting over was fascinating.

Knowing where she came from, what she has been through, the successes she achieved, I can now look at her in a different light when she is judging professional and celebrity dancers.

My only disappointment was that the kindle version had no pictures (which I imagine/hope the book does).

I had hoped to learn more about Shirley's dance career and life with Corky but the details were limited. I got the feeling that there was a lot more to tell about the life and career of Shirley Ballas.

I love Shirley and was really excited about this book. I devoured this, felt like I learned a lot and love her even more now.

What a life so far. Behind the Sequins is a bare your soul, leave nothing out kind of autobiography. Wonderfully written and when reading the words I can hear Shirley”s voice coming through. An amazing, passionate, dedicated women. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

I am a massive fan of strictly so when I saw this book was available I requested straight away and I am so glad I got to read it. It isn't your typical autobiography, it is full of so much narative, of heart break, of joys, of sparkles! Shirley Ballas' story one of rags to riches to glitter balls. If you ever doubted whether she deserves to be head judge on strictly you will never doubt again after reading this book. I love Shirley but after reading this I am in love with her!

4.5 stars
This was exactly what I was hoping for from Shirley's autobiography and more.
First of all, you will definitely read this in Shirley's voice, which is always the marker of a great autobiography for me. You really feel like that person is there with you sharing their personal story and memories.
Shirley was very brave in what she shared about her childhood and journey to where she is today. And there were plenty of ups and downs, that kept me wanting to read more and more.
It was very well written, something that can't be said for all celebrity autobiographies.
There is good pacing and I found out a lot that I never knew, even though I am a fan of watching Shirley on Strictly and any TV interviews that she does.
You don't necessarily need to watch or like Strictly Comes Dancing to get a lot out of this book.
I would easily recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading autobiographies or wants to find out more about Shirley and how she got to where she is. And this would make such a great Christmas gift, given its release date.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read Behind the Sequins. I enjoyed the book, it was an easy read and entertaining. I then had to go and buy a copy for my Mum who I know will also enjoy it. My only criticism is the electronic version I read had no pictures in at all which of course enhance the readers enjoyment of the book ten fold !
Overall I recommend this book to all dance fans !

A name I recognised due to Strictly Come Dancing but hearing Shirley in her own words about her life. It was like sitting down with a good friend you haven't seen for a while and having a good catch up.
Her life and circumstances show that with drive and determination you can achieve anything you set your mind to. Also that you never know what goes on in a person's mind or relationship. Outsiders looking in must have seen a wonderful lifestyle and career but personal happiness and self doubt can cripple you.
Thanks Shirley for your life story and I will watching every week whilst Strictly is on.
This is not the first autobiography of a strictly judge that I have read and ranks up there with Lens lifestory.

I love Strictly & Shirley so was so excited to read this. it was a great read & very enjoyable for any Strictly fan. Shirley is a lovely lady & this book reflects her amazing career

I’m a massive Strictly fan so was really pleased to read this autobiography. Not my usual style of book but I loved it, Shirley was everything I thought and so much more.... a lovely lady with a fire in her soul and someone who always fought for what she believed was right! Well done Shirley

I really enjoyed this book by Shirley Ballas. I have watched her son Mark on Dancing with Stars, so I was intrigued to learn about his mom. Very talented dancers both of them.