Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas responds to rumours that she'll be leaving the show

Shirley Ballas has shut down speculation that she could be leaving Strictly Come Dancing following reports of a potential overhaul to the judging panel and presenting line-up.

The head judge was quick to reject any rumours, telling Prima: "I'm 100 per cent not leaving Strictly!"

Her comments came ahead of her guest judge appearance on Strictly's US counterpart, Dancing with the Stars, where she appeared on the show's Halloween-themed horror movie night on Tuesday 27 October.

"I have an opportunity this year, judging for the first time on Dancing with the Stars for Halloween. So I'll do Strictly and then I'll fly over to the US and judge that, then come back again," she explained, speaking before the appearance. "So it's double duty this year. That was a job I've always wanted. It's been on my wish list."

Ballas added: "I feel that Dancing with the Stars will be a slightly different audience. I think I can probably be more strict. It's going to be very interesting."

Ballas has been a fixture on the Strictly panel since 2017, sitting alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke. She also reflected on the recent shake-up among the show's presenters, with Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly departing and Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe stepping in.

"Claudia and Tess started me off in 2017 and I had a beautiful relationship with both of them," she said. "They had the changing room next to mine so I could always hear them laughing and giggling. It was such a lovely vibe. So, of course, I was very saddened to hear [they were leaving]."

Strictly had quite the makeover this year, with the introduction of the new hosts, who Ballas said she has "gotten on very well with".

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She told Radio Times: "I knew Emma [Willis] when I did Cooking With The Stars. Josh [Widdicombe] is just an absolute gentleman, and what can I say about JoJo [Johannes Radebe] as he's just the best.

"So with the new hosts, we've had a blast, and of course, the even playing field with all the celebrities. And of course, our fantastic professionals who do an amazing job. The whole thing has just been delightful."

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday 31 October at 6:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

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Authors

Katelyn Mensah is the Senior Entertainment Writer for Radio Times, covering all major entertainment programmes, reality TV shows and the latest hard-hitting documentaries. She previously worked at The Tab, with a focus on reality TV and showbiz news and has obtained a BA (Hons) in Journalism.