Strictly’s Shirley Ballas reveals ‘untidy spaces’ phobia ahead of Netflix series
She is among the 12-strong line-up taking part in Celebrity Bear Hunt which will stream on Netflix.
Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has revealed her phobia is “untidy spaces” ahead of starring in Netflix series Celebrity Bear Hunt.
Ballas, 64, is among the line-up of 12 famous faces flown out to the Costa Rican jungle where adventurer Bear Grylls will put them through their paces.
Those failing to impress face the dreaded “Bear Hunt”, which will see Grylls “hunt” them down and, if captured, they face elimination from the show.
Also appearing in the series, hosted by Holly Willoughby, is former tennis star Boris Becker, Spice Girl Melanie Brown, Changing Rooms star Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and model Lottie Moss, the younger sister of Kate Moss.
Ballas said: “My phobia is untidy spaces. I have to have my bottle of Domestos with me so that I can keep everything totally sterilised and, you know, leave every area that I’ve been in super immaculate for the next person going in.
“That’s my own personal fear about how people are going to perceive me because I’m a little OCD I suppose. And I don’t particularly care for spiders.
“That said, I would hate it if I have to tread on one because they’re God’s creatures.”
Ballas landed the top job as head judge of Strictly in 2017 following the departure of Len Goodman.
Speaking about the team dynamic for the Netflix series, which releases globally on February 5, she said she will be the “mummy figure”, explaining: “I feel my place in the team dynamic being the eldest person here at 64, I will be that mummy figure.
“I’m a great listener. If I see something starting to kick off I’ll be the one that tries to resolve it, I won’t be the one who backs off from it. I like justice.
“I don’t like bullying.”
The other contestants on Celebrity Bear Hunt include retired rugby player Danny Cipriani, TV host Steph McGovern, TV cook Big Zuu, The Saturdays star Una Healy, The Inbetweeners actor Joe Thomas, model and TV presenter Leomie Anderson and Ted Lasso star Kola Bokinni.
British-born Latin and ballroom dancer Ballas, who is nicknamed the Queen of Latin, said she had “done her bit” in preparation for the show including making sure she gets “10,000 steps in before seven o’clock in the morning every day”.
She said: “I go to the gym, I get my 10,000 steps in before seven o’clock in the morning every day.
“At home I get up super early before I go to work, I do yoga, I do the Peloton bike, I do the running machine. You know, it’s not easy at 64.
“I’m not like a competitive dancer any more but I teach dancing on my feet every day for 12 hours. So, yes, I’ve done my bit I think. I’ve done the best that I can for it.”
Celebrity Bear Hunt launches on Netflix on February 5.
