Shirley Ballas sparks fears she has secretly QUIT Strictly Come Dancing as she ‘luggage position on rival present’
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Shirley Ballas has sparked fears she won’t be returning to Strictly Come Dancing, after it was revealed she bagged a new role on a rival dance show.
The TV judge, who appears alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke on the BBC One show, is said to be heading across the pond to feature in a spin-off of the American equivalent of Strictly, Dancing With The Stars.
Shirley, 65, is reported to be taking on a new role on the stateside panel, alongside her son Mark Ballas, a former professional on the ABC series.
Mark, who featured on Dancing With The Stars from 2007 to 2023 and lifted the trophy three times, will join Shirley in helping the series find its new professional in the spin-off series, according to The Sun.
Show winner Robert Irwin, the son of late The Crocodile Hunter star Steve Irwin, will host the new series, which was first reported by Reality Steve.
It’s not yet known when shooting for the spin-off series will take place, but there are fears it could clash with filming for Strictly, which takes place from September to December each year.
Shirley Ballas has sparked fears she won’t be returning to Strictly Come Dancing, after it was revealed she bagged a new role on a rival dance show
Shirley, 65, is reported to be taking on a new role on the stateside panel, alongside her son Mark Ballas, a former professional on the ABC series
The Daily Mail have contacted the BBC and Shirley’s representative for comment.
Fans were quick to take to social media to react to the news, discussing whether or not the new role would see Shirley leave Strictly Come Dancing.
One penned on Reddit: ‘VERY interesting, makes me wonder if she’s considering leaving Strictly for the Dancing With The Stars main show!’
Another chimed in: ‘I don’t think she will leave strictly unless they both are clashing,’ as a third said: ‘She’ll do what Bruno did and leave for a week or two with a guest judge filling in for her…’
Shirley would be following in the footsteps of her former Strictly judging stars Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli by appearing on Dancing With The Stars.
Both of the former panellists waved goodbye to the BBC show to appear on the American series.
The ‘Queen of Latin’, who was a world-renowned ballroom dancer during her career on the dance floor, took over as head judge when Len, who died in 2023, left in 2017.
The mother-of-one shares Mark with her ex-husband and professional dancer Corky Ballas, who raised their son in the competitive dance world.
The TV judge, who appears alongside Craig Revel Horwood , Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke on the BBC One show, is said to be heading across the pond
Fans were quick to take to social media to react to the news, discussing whether or not the new role would see Shirley leave Strictly Come Dancing
In 2023, Mark revealed he was retiring from his position as a professional dancer on Dancing With The Stars after 16 years on the show.
The dancer, who took home the mirrored ball during his last series of the show, had been a fixture on the dancing competition series ever since his debut in 2007.
Ballas released a statement to confirm the news, and expressed via People that he was grateful for the support of his followers.
He stated: ‘I started this journey when I was 21, 22. Honestly, being able to dance and perform for you fans, you guys are the best fans.’
The professional dancer then stated that he had made the choice to conclude his time with the franchise.
‘I just wanna finish by saying this will be the last time you see me dance in this capacity. I’m coming to a close tonight. This is going to be my last dance,’ he stated.
Ballas went on to express his gratitude for the support of his dancing partner, Charli D’Amelio, who was present during the event, as well as her loved ones.
‘Charli means the world to me, the D’Amelio family, you guys mean the world to me. Thank you for everything,’ he said.
The dancer, who took home the mirrored ball alongside Charli D’Amelio during his last series of the show, had been a fixture on the dancing competition series ever since his debut in 2007
Ballas previously made his debut on Dancing With The Stars in 2007, when he appeared on the program’s fifth season (pictured with Lindsey Stirling in 2017)
The television personality concluded by stating that although he would continue his dancing career, he would be stepping away from the franchise.
‘I’m not saying this is the end, [but] this is the last time I will be dancing with a [celebrity] partner. And I wanted to finish this with Charli, and I appreciate you guys so much,’ he said.
A representative for the media figure told People that he had no further comments about his decision to leave the program at the time.
Ballas previously made his debut on Dancing With The Stars in 2007, when he appeared on the program’s fifth season.
He went on to take home the mirrored ball alongside Kristi Yamaguchi during the following run of episodes.
The dancer subsequently won the show’s grand prize during its eighth season, in which he was paired with Shawn Johnson.
Ballas and D’Amelio went on to come out on top of the series’ other couples during its 31st most recent season.
The television personality’s former dance partners include Shannen Doherty, Melissa Joan Hart and Kim Kardashian.
Shirley’s possible departure would mark yet another change for Strictly, after it was revealed show hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly were stepping down.
The hosting duo stunned fans of the BBC show last October when they announced their departures from the ballroom in a surprise statement and video.
Claudia, 53, and Tess, 56, left Strictly at the end of the 2025 series, with their final show airing on Christmas Day during the show’s special.
They both had previously said how they made a pact to leave the show together, rather than either remaining and being paired with a new presenter.
