Shirley Ballas declares 'I'm on my way' as she jets to the US for Dancing With The Stars guest stint amid fears she could be set to quit Strictly

Shirley Ballas has jetted off to the US as she prepares for her guest stint on Dancing With The Stars (DWTS). 

The Strictly head judge, 66, is set to appear on the US version of the competition for Horror Movie Night on Tuesday.

It comes amid fears she could quit Strictly to land a permanent judging spot on the show, as contracts are due to finish at the end of this series. 

Shirley took to Instagram to share a clip from the flight with the caption: 'DWTS, I'm on my way.' 

The former professional dancer was living it up in business class as she showed her 'tiny shoes' that she had brought on board for the show. 

Shirley often uses the shoes to help with her demonstrations of correct footwork. In homage to Halloween week, she also had a glittery skull. 

Shirley Ballas has jetted off to the US as she prepares for her guest stint on Dancing With The Stars (DWTS)

It comes amid fears she quit Strictly to land a permanent judging spot on the show, as the judges' contracts are due to finish at the end of this series

Maura Higgins, who is partnered with Shirley's son Mark, commented crying laughing emojis. 

Others wrote: 'Yes! Can't wait to have you.'

'It's giving supernanny going to the families in need. DWTS needs you queen, travel safe' and 'So excited'.

Shirley's appearance marks a historic first, as she will be judging her own son, who is competing this season with Maura. 

Following the announcement, fans took to X to share their thoughts, claiming that it was 'not fair'.

They penned: 'Idk if having Shirley Ballas judging when Mark is on the show is fair…,'

'I’m sorry but idc, Shirley Ballas shouldn’t be judging an episode of a show that her son is a Pro on. She might over score him because she’s biased, or she might underscore him because she’s hard on him,'

 'Shirley Ballas will go easier on her son" meanwhile he looks the most terrified,'

'Shirley Ballas having to judge her son paired with Maura Higgins of all people next week.. oh the irony of Mark being with only dancer from our side of the pond,'

'Shirley judging while her son is still in the competition is wild lmao,' 

The former professional dancer was living it up in business class as she showed her 'tiny shoes' that she had brought on board for the show

Maura Higgins, who is partnered with Shirley's son Mark, commented crying laughing emojis. Others wrote: 'Yes! Can't wait to have you'

Her appearance marks a historic first, as she will be judging her own son, who is competing this season with star Maura Higgins

It comes as Strictly might be facing a whole new shake-up again after reports all four judges are set to quit the show (L-R: Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke)

Shirley has already starred as a judge on the DWTS spin-off series The Next Pro alongside Mark

'Shirley Ballas judging her son... that should be interesting!'

Shirley is following in the footsteps of previous Strictly judges Bruno Tonioli and the late Len Goodman, who also made the move to the rival show.

It comes as Strictly might be facing a whole new shake-up again after reports all four judges are set to quit the show.

Shirley, Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse's contracts are due to finish at the end of this season and negotiate with the corporation.

But following Claudia Winkelman and Tess Daly's exit, bosses are terrified that the controversy surrounding the new format this year will lead to the judges going too.

Shirley, who has been the head judge since 2017, is arguably the favourite of the four thanks to her unmatched technical pedigree, competitive dance legacy and pristine glamour.

And her connections over in the States could mean Shirley is planning to waltz over to DWTS after ten seasons on Strictly.

Insiders suggest that Shirley may not return for what would be her 11th series, with speculation rife that she may relocate to the US to spend more time with her son Mark and her grandchildren.

One source told the Daily Mail: 'The one thing that the BBC knew would keep some continuity this year was that the judges would all be back.

'They are under contract so that was a guarantee for the bosses and was definitely one less headache for them. But anything could happen. Any of them could walk away now and they will be free agents.

'The most likely is Shirley. She has done a decade now and she has grandchildren that she wants to see more of.

'The terms of their contracts will have to be renegotiated, and if the judges don't like what the BBC is offering maybe they won't return.

'It will all be very up in the air in December once this run is over.'

Shirley sparked a frenzy earlier this year when she hinted she could be departing Strictly Come Dancing to appear on DWTS.

She fronted the new spin-off for DWTS alongside her professional dancer son Mark.

The series followed dancers auditioning to become one of the professional dancers on the main show.

Twelve contestants vied for a contract as a professional dancer with the DWTS cast.

Shirley herself had previously hinted she could leave Strictly Come Dancing so she could spend more time in the US with her son Mark and be a more present grandmother.

In February, the star shared her regrets over being so busy with her career when son Mark was growing up.

She told The Mirror: 'I want to be a much better grandmother than I was a mother, as I was pursuing my career.'

Shirley continued: 'I have told him I don't think I was there for him. I used to have his teddy in my suitcase. It was very difficult for me.'

Mark, now 40, is a professional dancer based in the US, where he lives with his two children, Banksi, whom he shares with his wife, singer-songwriter BC Jean, 39.

Shirley had previously stated she would stay on Strictly 'as long as they would have her', even hitting back at the idea she could leave after facing trolling due to some of her judging decisions.

'Shirley certainly won't be leaving Strictly over the opinions of online trolls,' an insider told the Daily Mail.

'She knows what she's talking about and always stands by every decision she makes.'