Strictly head judge Shirley Ballas ‘absolutely’ knows who she wants to replace Tess Daley and Claudia Winkleman – as she reveals her mother’s top choice

by

Shirley Ballas, the head judge on Strictly Come Dancing, shared that her mother would love to see Rylan Clark take over as host when Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman step down.

Fans and those who work on the show were surprised Thursday morning when the longtime hosts announced they were leaving in a joint post on Instagram, quickly sparking a flood of reactions.

The pair will continue to host the BBC dance competition until the end of the current series.

The company is now looking for people to fill those roles, and Shirley mentioned her mother has already decided who she prefers.

Shirley, who cares for her 88-year-old mother Audrey Rich, shared at the Wimbledon BookFest on Sunday that her mother would prefer Rylan Clark to take over their current situation.

The presenter of This Morning is a strong contender to take over from the current hosts. Other popular choices include Zoe Ball, Holly Willoughby, Stacey Dooley, and Kevin Clifton.

When asked about potential replacements, Shirley replied that she did have some thoughts, but wouldn’t share them.

Shirley also confessed that she will also walk away from the much-loved dance show one day.

I get along with them really well. However, everyone reaches a point where they’re ready for a change, and we need to respect that.

It’s hard to see them go, but they feel it’s time for a change. Eventually, I’ll be ready to move forward too, and I’ll do so when I feel the time is right.

‘And somebody else will come in, and after a show or two you’ll fall in love with the next person.’

Shirley, a judge on the show since 2017, expressed how much she’ll miss the hosts. She wishes them all the best in their future endeavors, confident they will continue to succeed.

Shirley, talking about her new book ‘Best Foot Forward’, believes the show will remain successful even without its former hosts, despite the recent problems it’s faced.

She believes ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ will continue to be successful as long as viewers enjoy it. She acknowledged that there will always be some criticism and predictions of the show’s decline, especially when popular contestants leave, but that doesn’t mean those predictions are true.

I’ll genuinely be sad to see them go, but that’s just how things are. The show is more important than any individual – more important than any of the famous faces involved. Ultimately, Strictly is a show for the viewers.

I’m really sad to see them leave, especially Claudia and Tess. They’ve been with me from the start, patiently guiding me through everything, step by step. They were always there for the people they served, and I appreciate all their help.

She called them the heart of the show and couldn’t stop praising them behind the scenes.

She explained that because her dressing room was next to Anton Du Beke and the others – though Motsi Mabuse and the rest were further down the hall – she often saw their interactions.

It’s been amazing to see their camaraderie, how much they enjoy working together, and how dedicated they are to their work. I’ve learned a lot from them, and it’s truly inspiring to watch.

Shirley, the head judge, shared on social media that she was heartbroken by the news of their sudden departure on Thursday.

In a recent post, she shared how much she appreciated Tess and Claudia for helping her when she first joined in 2017. She explained that they really took her under their wing and guided her.

I’ll never forget how they took me under their wing right from the start. They really helped me get comfortable and learn everything about working in television, and they did it with such kindness, patience, and a genuine willingness to share their knowledge. Plus, they always had a smile on their faces, which made all the difference.

I’ve rarely met such incredible women. Their hard work, combined with their grace, humor, and dedication, are a huge part of what makes ‘Strictly’ so special. They bring amazing energy to the ballroom, and it’s wonderful to see their genuine friendship.

I was so sad to hear they’re leaving the ballroom. I’ll really miss our little chats – my dressing room is right next to theirs, so we always used to pop in and see each other.

I occasionally wander into their rooms by mistake, thinking I’m still in my own. These little mix-ups have always made me laugh and feel a genuine warmth.

‘They are the duo that hold everything together and I’ll miss them more than words can say.

Thank you both, Tess and Claudia, for all you’ve done for me, for our show, and for all your fans.

I’ve truly cherished my time on the show because of you both, and I’ll always admire you as incredible women. I love you both very much!

Read More

2025-10-26 19:49