Shirley Ballas’s New Gig Sparks “Strictly” Departure Fears
Long-time fans of the beloved BBC ballroom competition, Strictly Come Dancing, are buzzing with concern as head judge Shirley Ballas reportedly lands a significant new role on a rival show across the pond. The 65-year-old television personality, a familiar face alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke, is rumoured to be joining a spin-off of the American equivalent, Dancing With The Stars.
This potential move has ignited speculation that Shirley might be stepping away from her judging duties on Strictly. Reports suggest she’ll be taking a seat on the judging panel for the American series’ spin-off, a venture that will see her collaborate with her son, Mark Ballas. Mark himself is a seasoned professional from Dancing With The Stars, having participated in the show from 2007 to 2023 and clinching the coveted trophy an impressive three times. Together, Shirley and Mark are expected to help the new series discover its next crop of professional dancers.
The new spin-off series is slated to be hosted by Robert Irwin, the son of the late conservationist icon Steve Irwin. The initial reports of this casting emerged from various entertainment news outlets. While the exact filming schedule for the spin-off remains under wraps, there’s a palpable worry among fans and industry insiders that the production timeline could clash with the annual filming of Strictly Come Dancing, which typically runs from September through December.
Representatives for the BBC and Shirley Ballas have been approached for comment regarding these developments.
The news has inevitably sent ripples through social media platforms, with fans actively debating Shirley’s potential departure. Discussions on platforms like Reddit highlight a mixture of surprise and conjecture.
- One fan mused on Reddit: “VERY interesting, makes me wonder if she’s considering leaving Strictly for the Dancing With The Stars main show!”
- Another commenter offered a more measured perspective: “I don’t think she will leave Strictly unless they both are clashing.”
- A third suggested a familiar precedent: “She’ll do what Bruno did and leave for a week or two with a guest judge filling in for her…”
This sentiment echoes the history of Strictly judges who have transitioned to the American version. Shirley Ballas would be following in the footsteps of former Strictly judges Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli, both of whom departed the BBC show to take up judging roles on Dancing With The Stars.
Shirley, affectionately known as the ‘Queen of Latin’, boasts a distinguished career as a world-renowned ballroom dancer before her judging tenure. She stepped into the role of head judge in 2017, succeeding Len Goodman, who sadly passed away in 2023. Shirley shares her son, Mark, with her ex-husband and fellow professional dancer, Corky Ballas, who played a pivotal role in nurturing Mark’s talent within the competitive dance circuit.
Mark Ballas himself announced his retirement from his professional dancer position on Dancing With The Stars in 2023, concluding a remarkable 16-year run. His departure marked the end of an era for the show, where he had been a consistent presence since his debut in 2007. In his farewell statement, shared with publications like People, Mark expressed profound gratitude for the unwavering support of his fans.
He reflected on his journey, stating, “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.” Mark confirmed that he had made the conscious decision to conclude his time with the franchise, adding, “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.”
During his final series, Mark also extended his heartfelt thanks to his dancing partner, Charli D’Amelio, and her family, expressing how much they meant to him.
While he indicated that his passion for dancing would continue, his role within the Dancing With The Stars franchise had come to an end. He clarified, “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.” A representative later confirmed to People that Mark had no further comments on his decision at that time.
Mark Ballas’s Dancing With The Stars career began in its fifth season in 2007. He achieved early success, winning the mirrored ball trophy with Kristi Yamaguchi in the subsequent season and again with Shawn Johnson in the eighth season. His most recent victory came in the 31st season, partnered with Charli D’Amelio. Over the years, his celebrity partners have included well-known figures such as Shannen Doherty, Melissa Joan Hart, and Kim Kardashian.
Shirley Ballas’s potential move to Dancing With The Stars comes at a time of significant change for Strictly Come Dancing, following the recent departures of long-serving hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly. The hosting duo surprised fans in October by announcing their exit from the ballroom. Claudia, 53, and Tess, 56, concluded their tenure at the end of the 2025 series, with their final broadcast being the Christmas Day special. Both hosts had previously revealed a mutual agreement to leave the show together, rather than one remaining to be paired with a new co-presenter.
