Is Shirley Ballas leaving Strictly? Judge drops biggest hint yet she could quit the BBC show as she announces she’s starring on Dancing With The Stars spin-off with her son Mark

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Okay, so it sounds like my time on Strictly Come Dancing might be coming to an end! I’m thrilled to share that my son, Mark, and I are heading to the US to work on a new Strictly spin-off show. It’s a fantastic opportunity for both of us, but it definitely feels like a new chapter, and I’m excited to see what it holds. While I’ve absolutely loved my years on the UK show, this feels like the right time for a change.

The dancer has been a judge on the popular BBC show since 2017, but recently mentioned she might leave to spend more time with her grandchildren.

Shirley is hosting a new spin-off show for the American version of Dancing With The Stars, known as Strictly in other countries.

The celebrity joined Robert Irwin in an Instagram video to reveal she’ll be competing on the upcoming season of Dancing With The Stars: The Next Pro.

This show follows the audition process for professional dancers who want to join the cast of ‘Dancing With The Stars’. Twelve hopefuls will compete for a spot and a professional contract.

Shirley will be judging the programme alongside Mark, who is already a pro on the Disney+ show. 

Shirley and Robert, the hosts of the show, explained that viewers will get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to become a professional dancer on ‘Dancing With The Stars’ as they search for the next pro.

Twelve incredibly talented dancers from across the globe will compete for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You won’t want to miss it – watch on July 13th!

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional AJ Pritchard is participating in the show, and his potential win could create an interesting situation. That’s because Maura Higgins, who previously dated his brother Curtis, is also competing this season.

Strictly Come Dancing is facing big changes for its next season, following the departure of its veteran hosts, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, last year.

The BBC’s dance competition has seen significant changes recently, with several well-known participants eliminated – a result many fans are calling a dramatic shake-up.

Several professional dancers—Karen Hauer, Gorka Márquez, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas—are leaving the show, resulting in a significant change to the cast.

Shirley had previously suggested she might leave Strictly Come Dancing to spend more time with her family in the US and be a more involved grandmother.

The actress recently revealed she wishes she hadn’t focused so much on her work while her son, Mark, was a child.

She told The Mirror she hopes to be a better grandmother than she was a mother, explaining that she had focused on her career during her children’s upbringing.

Shirley explained that she’d told her son she hadn’t been there for him enough. She confessed she used to carry his teddy bear with her when she traveled, and it had been a tough thing to deal with.

Mark, age 39, is a professional dancer living in the United States. He shares a two-year-old son, Banksi, with his wife, singer BC Jean, who is 38.

The couple are also expecting another child.

Shirley had said she intended to remain on Strictly Come Dancing for as long as the show wanted her, and she’d previously defended herself against suggestions she might quit because of negative online comments about her judging.

According to a source speaking to the Daily Mail, Shirley won’t let negative comments from online trolls affect her involvement with Strictly. They said she’s confident in her expertise and always firm in her choices.

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2026-04-23 17:38