Entertainment · TV & Streaming · 3 hrs ago
Shirley Ballas says she will stay on Strictly Come Dancing
Shirley Ballas says she will stay on Strictly Come Dancing, despite rumours she might leave when her contract ends this year.
Ballas, who joined the BBC dance show in 2017, is its head judge.
She will also judge Dancing with the Stars in the US, a role she says she has long wanted.
She plans to travel between the two shows, including for a Halloween judging appearance in the US.
Her decision answers questions about her future on Strictly, where the other three judges’ contracts also end this year.
Ballas says she has no desire to marry again, after her engagement to Danny Taylor ended in 2024.
She says she is open to dating but wants to do her own thing and keep details of future relationships private.
Shirley Ballas said she is “100 per cent” staying on Strictly Come Dancing.
The head judge said she plans to judge Strictly before travelling to the United States to judge Dancing with the Stars, then return.
Ballas joined Strictly in 2017, and her contract is due to end this year.
Reports had suggested she might leave Strictly, while the contracts of fellow judges Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke are also due to end this year.
- Who
- Shirley Ballas, head judge of Strictly Come Dancing.
- What
- She said she is staying on the BBC show while also judging Dancing with the Stars.
- When
- She said this in an interview published on 28 October 2026; her Strictly contract ends this year.
- Where
- Strictly Come Dancing in the UK and Dancing with the Stars in the United States.
- Why
- She said the US judging role was a job she had always wanted; she did not state a reason for staying on Strictly.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Ballas joined Strictly Come Dancing as a judge.
Ballas ended her six-year relationship with fiancé Danny Taylor.
An interview published by the Daily Mail reported that Ballas said she would stay on Strictly and also judge Dancing with the Stars.
- Strictly role
- Head judge
- Joined Strictly
- 2017
- Strictly contract
- Due to end in 2026
- US role
- Judge on Dancing with the Stars for Halloween
- Other judges' contracts
- Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke are also due to end in 2026
What people are saying
But I'm 100 per cent not leaving Strictly!
So I'll do Strictly and then I'll fly over to the US and judge that, then come back again.