Best Foot Forward

Brought to you by Penguin.

From bestselling author and Strictly Come Dancing’s Head Judge, Shirley Ballas, a sparkling toolkit for living your best life, and new stories from Shirley's life on and off the dance floor.

After twenty years of shiny floors, sambas, and sequins, we’re more captivated than ever by the ‘Strictly Journey’ – a contestant’s inspirational roller-coaster ride of personal growth as they learn each new routine. It’s a process that requires stamina, resilience, and an openness to total self-expression - and it teaches you as much about yourself as it does the dance.

No one knows this journey more deeply than Strictly’s Head Judge, Shirley Ballas. In Best Foot Forward, she takes you on her own personal journey, sharing the tools she’s developed to live life to the fullest.

Grounded in the world of dance, Shirley’s life lessons offer a unique toolkit for navigating everyday challenges. Each chapter is anchored by a key principle that Shirley has learned from both personal and professional experiences, collecting fascinating stories of open-mindedness (‘Listen to the Music’), self-confidence (‘Dress the Part’), managing change (‘Learn to Pivot’), working with others (‘Trust Your Partner’) and more.

Written with her trademark unguarded and nurturing style, Best Foot Forward takes you on an inspirational tour through Shirley’s toolkit for living a vibrant and fulfilling life.

© Shirley Ballas 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025