Strictly's Shirley Ballas, 66, 'at risk of being axed from her role as a judge of international ballroom contest due to her close bond with dancer Giuseppe Nonnis, 36'

Strictly Come Dancing star Shirley Ballas is reportedly at risk of losing her role as a judge of another international ballroom contest, amid speculation about her bond with dancer Giuseppe Nonnis.

Earlier this month it was claimed the dancer, 66, had been 'growing close' to Italian dancer Giuseppe, 36.

But sources are claiming that Shirley's relationship with Giuseppe has sparked complaints from other members of the dance community.

They claim that Shirley will be in breach of the rules when she judges Giuseppe at next week's International Championships, which are known as the 'ballroom dance Olympics.'

Insiders have also claimed that Shirley previously scored Giuseppe highly at the UK Open Dance Festival, before he became her potential love interest.

Giuseppe, who grew up in Cagliari and lives in Hong Kong, said he had looked up to Shirley since he was a small child, and their relationship has blossomed after dancing together in Hong Kong and Blackpool earlier this year. 

Shirley is due to judge Giuseppe in the Professional Latin at the global dance event, which is set to take place at the Royal Albert Hall.

Rules state 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.' 

According to The Sun, dance sources have also claimed that Giuseppe falls into this category, as he has been staying with Shirley when he is in the UK.

A source 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.'

However, a source close to Shirley has told the publication that Giuseppe does not live with her and that they do not share a household, so there is no breach of the rules.

The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Shirley Ballas and the International Championships for comment.

Following rumours that Shirley and Giuseppe's bond could turn romantic, last week his ex-fiancée Daria Chesnokova has broke her silence to warn Shirley away, saying it would be the 'ultimate betrayal.' 

Ukrainian dancer Daria announced,  'I don't want her to take my man,' as she explained: 'Shirley was my mentor for nearly two decades. I have looked up to her for years. And I introduced her to Giuseppe. If they were together I would be so hurt.

'She's a mature woman and I'm a young girl compared to her. She's known me from a long time ago and has been like a dance mum to me. It would be like your mum taking your boyfriend.' 

Daria added to The Sun: 'She saw us and knew how much we loved each other so to be with him romantically is the ultimate betrayal.' 

The couple were engaged for four years before splitting last September. They began dancing together in June 2021 and first competed in Blackpool in August 2021 before touring across the world.

Last March, Giuseppe gushed about Daria, describing her as 'my woman' and posting about his love for her on social media.

He wrote: 'Happy Women's Day to all the women in the world but especially to MY Woman. You came into my life so unexpectedly and now you became the biggest part of it.

'Thank you for teaching me resilience, to never give up and to see always the positive side in everything, doesn't matter what.

'I feel blessed to have met you in my path and to share it with you. Ti amo.'

A year earlier he described their relationship as 'the best four years of my life', adding: 'Thank you amore [for bringing] so much love into my life.'

He said she was the 'most precious, beautiful, hard work, stubborn, creature that I ever knew.

'I only wish you what you desire the most, you truly deserve all. It will never be enough for me to say Thank You, because you are my best present every single day and there's only one happiness in life; to love and to be loved.'

But months later they announced their split after 'five unforgettable years'.

Daria wrote: After five unforgettable years, my partnership with Giuseppe has come to an end.

'I am deeply grateful for all we shared - the memories, the growth, and the experiences we created both on and off the floor.

'This chapter holds countless moments and achievements I will always treasure, and I am truly thankful to our teachers, family, sponsors, and everyone who supported us throughout this journey.

'Now, I look ahead with gratitude, courage, and excitement for what's to come.'

Suggestions that Shirley Ballas has begun dating Giuseppe have surprised many, perhaps because of the 30-year age gap between them.

But no one was more surprised by claims of a romance than the dancer's mother – who is ten years younger than her son's apparent new girlfriend.

The pair were spotted on a loved-up dog walk this month, where they appeared close as he put his arm on her back while queuing for a cafe.

And Giuseppe's mother Franca Nonnis admitted she had been shocked to hear claims of a budding relationship between her son and the TV star.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, from her home in Cagliari, Sardinia, she said: 'Shirley is teaching Giuseppe, she's an excellent teacher, one of the best and my son is her student.'

She explained that her son had recently broken up with a longtime girlfriend which had left him 'heartbroken'.

'That's why I would be surprised if he was already in another relationship but if he is happy then I am happy. I just don't think he's ready yet for another relationship,' Franca, 56, said.

'Giuseppe is a very loveable and sociable person, he is sweet with everyone and if he was being friendly and if he is being close with Shirley then I'm sure it's just that, friendship and nothing more.'

She added: 'Everyone has heard of Shirley, and she was at his studio in Hong Kong in the summer - he flies between there and Europe all the time. I don't know where he is from one minute to the next.

'He's lived abroad for more than 12 years so I don't see him very often unless he is in Europe visiting.'

The breakup that caused Franca to be surprised that her son may be ready to start dating again had been from Daria, who Giuseppe had described as his 'life partner' before their split.

Franca went on: 'He's not mentioned a relationship, and he's not told me about one, but he only just finished with his girlfriend Daria a year ago and he was very upset when that ended,' his mother said.

'He was heartbroken, they had been together for a long time, I met her when they came to Sardinia but they split up as sometimes happens, and these longtime affairs of the heart take a long time to get over when they end.'

But it's understood that since the split he has grown increasingly close to the Strictly Come Dancing judge.