Shirley Ballas Denies Strictly Exit, Rules Out Remarriage
The 'Strictly Come Dancing' head judge, Shirley Ballas, has confirmed she will remain with the BBC show despite reports of other judges potentially leaving, and stated she has no plans to remarry.
Shirley Ballas, 66, has refuted claims that she is set to leave BBC's "Strictly Come Dancing" when her contract concludes this year, asserting she is "100 per cent" staying with the show. The head judge's commitment comes amid speculation that all four judges' contracts are ending and any of them might depart.
Ballas, who joined "Strictly" in 2017, is also taking on a role judging "Dancing with the Stars" in the U.S. for Halloween, a job she described as a long-held ambition. She plans to fulfill both commitments, stating, "I'll do Strictly and then I'll fly over to the US and judge that, then come back again. So it's double duty this year."
Regarding her personal life, Ballas has also declared she has "no desire to get married" again. This statement follows the breakdown of her engagement to Danny Taylor in 2024. She expressed a preference for independence, saying, "I don't want to answer to anybody. I want to be able to do my own thing."
Rumors of Ballas's potential departure from "Strictly" circulated as her contract, along with those of fellow judges Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood, and Anton Du Beke, ends this year. Insiders had suggested that any of the judges might leave. In 2023, the judging panel reportedly sought an 11% pay increase, which may be unlikely this year due to BBC budget cuts.
Ballas has faced scrutiny during her tenure on "Strictly," including allegations of favoritism, bullying, and harsh scoring. Earlier this year, she reportedly faced disciplinary action from BBC executives for breaching editorial guidelines by recreating "Strictly" elements for a paid MSC Cruises voyage without authorization.