Giuseppe Nonnis's ex-fiancée warns Shirley Ballas off dancer with 'your mum taking your boyfriend' rebuke

From the Newshound archive · first published 27 September 2026 · last updated 28 September 2026.

Daria Chesnokova, the Ukrainian dancer who spent four years engaged to Giuseppe Nonnis, has spoken out to steer Strictly judge Shirley Ballas away from the Italian dancer she once mentored. Chesnokova, who brought the two of them together, described any romance between them as 'the ultimate betrayal' and insisted 'I don't want her to take my man.'

Chesnokova says Ballas has been 'like a dance mum' to her for nearly two decades, making a romance feel like a profound personal betrayal.

Nonnis, 36, and Ballas, 66, are said to have become close following joint appearances in Hong Kong and Blackpool earlier this year, fuelling speculation about a romance.

Nonnis parted ways with Chesnokova last September after four years together; he had previously referred to her publicly as 'my woman' and posted effusively about his feelings for her on social media.