SHIRLEY Ballas’ place as a judge at the “ballroom dance Olympics” is in jeopardy as she faces complaints over her rumoured boyfriend.

Members of the dance community claim she will be in breach of the rules when she judges rumoured new flame Giuseppe Nonnis at next week’s International Championships.

Shirley Ballas in a red dress posing with dance student Giuseppe Nonnis in a tuxedo.
The Sun first revealed Shirley Ballas, 66, had grown close to 36-year-old Italian hunk Giuseppe Nonnis Credit: Cavendish
Shirley Ballas and Giuseppe Nonnis walking together in a park.
The happy news sparked unrest across the industry because of Shirley’s work as a judge beyond Strictly Credit: TillenDove

Fuming sources have shared ’ voting record from the UK Open Dance Festival – held in January, before the pair are thought to have begun dating – but she is noted to mark Nonnis favourably.

The Sun first revealed Shirley, 66, had grown close to , 36, last month and .

The happy news sparked unrest across the industry because of Shirley’s work as a judge beyond .

She is due to critique Nonnis in the Professional Latin at the global event, known as the Olympics of ballroom dance, which begins tomorrow at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

Dance fans have lodged formal complaints with the organisers about Shirley’s place on the panel, claiming that it contravenes British Dance Council Rule 65.

The rule states that a competitor may not enter if a member of their immediate family or the same household is on the adjudicating panel, and specifically includes a “de facto spouse”.

They claim that as Nonnis has been staying at Shirley’s when he is in the UK, he falls into this category.

The Italian hunk is the ex-fiance of dancer 38, who claims she introduced him to the Strictly judge, 30 years his senior.

Shirley Ballas watching Giuseppe Nonnis and Dasha Chesnokova dance.
Dasha Chesnokova told The Sun on Sunday that any relationship between Shirley and Giuseppe would be ‘the ultimate betrayal’ Credit: Supplied
Dancer Giuseppe Nonnis and Dasha Chesnokova posing in black outfits indoors.
The Italian hunk is the ex-fiance of dancer Dasha, who claims she introduced him to the Strictly judge Credit: Supplied

She told that any relationship between them would be “the ultimate betrayal” – especially because she confided in Shirley when their romance hit the rocks. They broke up in August.

Giuseppe, who is also a dancer, has since been seen driving Shirley’s £100,000 , with his hand on her neck and back, on coffee ‘dates’ and in the same ice bath at her home.

Scorned Dasha, who has known the Strictly judge for 18 years, says her ex insists “there is nothing going on”. Giuseppe’s mum claimed she is his coach and “an excellent teacher”.

But Dasha claims Shirley has “always fancied him”, recalling how she would “make jokes about his bum” and call him “handsome”. She now fears the worst.

The whistleblower said: “This issue is widely discussed within the professional dance community and the organisers are aware of the concerns, but so far nothing has been done.

“This is the Olympics of ballroom dance and the community feels that the rules are not being respected.

“The integrity of one of the dance world’s most important competitions needs to be protected.”

Sources close to Shirley insist that Giuseppe does not live with her and that they do not share a household, so there is no breach of the rules.

Shirley Ballas wearing a green suit at an awards ceremony.
Fuming sources have shared Ballas’ voting record from the UK Open Dance Festival Credit: PA
Strictly Come Dancing judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke holding up score paddles.
The rule states that a competitor may not enter if a member of their immediate family or the same household – but sources Giuseppe does not live with Strictly star Shirley Credit: PA

Voting results from the UK Open Dance Festival, held in Bournemouth earlier this year, indicate Ballas voted overwhelmingly in favour of Nonnis and his partner Lele Khutsishvili.

Each judge has five “recalls” to hand out – a mark to advance the couple to the next round.

gave Giuseppe her “recall” in every dance; the Cha Cha cha, Samba, Jive, Rumba and Paso Doble.

The other 14 judges combined gave him 13 recalls out of a possible 70.

The whistleblower added: “It is not unheard of for a judge to award all their recalls to one dancer, particularly where there is a strong teacher/student relationship.

“However, given the separate concern over their new, personal relationship, it becomes more significant.”

It is not the first time Shirley has had her judges’ role shaken-up due to romance.

When she was dating Italian Professional Latin dancer Riccardo Cocchi in the Noughties, she was not permitted to adjudicate events in which he competed.

The organisers of the International Championships did not comment.

The Sun contacted Shirley’s representatives for comment.