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  "path": "/celebrity/shirley-ballas-bbc-strictly-exit-fears-judging-role-dancing-with-the-stars",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-13T15:09:27.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Dick Van Dyke wrongly pronounced dead by Heart Radio star in jaw-dropping Breakfast Show blunder",
    "BBC issues statement following inquest into Strictly star Robin Windsor's death: 'Deeply saddened'",
    "Adil Ray risks fresh controversy as ITV GMB star fumes ‘we need MORE migrants’ in political tirade",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nShirley Ballas could be preparing to step away from Strictly Come Dancing after nearly a decade as head judge.\n\nSources say the 65-year-old ballroom champion is set to travel to the United States to take part in a new Dancing With The Stars spin-off programme, where she would appear alongside her son Mark, who has worked as a professional dancer on the American show for two decades.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nIt is believed that the mother-and-son duo will serve as judges on the reality competition, which aims to discover fresh professional talent for the upcoming DWTS season.\n\nAccording to reports first shared by the RealitySteve account on X, Robert Irwin, who claimed victory in the most recent series of Dancing With The Stars, will present the new programme.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe account posted: \"I know people were hoping for a DWTS-pro show for today's announcement. I can confirm it's happening. Robert Irwin is hosting, 2 of the judges are Mark Ballas and his mom, and the winner will be a pro on next season of DWTS. Announcement is coming soon.\"\n\nABC is expected to formally unveil the spin-off imminently, though precise filming dates remain unclear.\n\nViewers have responded with concern to the reports, with many fearing the BBC programme could be facing further turbulence.\n\nOne fan wrote on Reddit: \"VERY interesting, makes me wonder if she's considering leaving Strictly for the DWTS main show!\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nAnother commented: \"I don't think she will leave Strictly unless they both are clashing!\"\n\nOne fan took to X to express excitement at the prospect of Ms Ballas joining DWTS. \"I love this for Shirley, maybe now there will be some strict consistency on the ballroom basics,\" she wrote.\n\nA second penned: \"HELL YEAH!\"\n\nThe timing has only added to speculation, coming after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman confirmed late last year that they would be stepping down after more than 20 years fronting the Saturday night favourite.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Dick Van Dyke wrongly pronounced dead by Heart Radio star in jaw-dropping Breakfast Show blunder\n  * BBC issues statement following inquest into Strictly star Robin Windsor's death: 'Deeply saddened'\n  * Adil Ray risks fresh controversy as ITV GMB star fumes ‘we need MORE migrants’ in political tirade\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThey announced their departure in a joint video shared on social media, later bowing out during the 2025 Christmas Special. The pair said it felt like the “right time” to “pass over the baton”.\n\nReflecting on their time on the show, they noted they had started when their children were “babies in arms”, and joked that they were now looking forward to saying “keep dancing” from the comfort of their sofa in “tracksuit bottoms”.\n\nAlthough no detailed reason was given, the duo had long spoken about a “pact over pizza” to leave the programme together once they felt their journey had run its course.\n\nSince both Strictly and Dancing With The Stars typically broadcast between September and December, Ms Ballas may face a difficult scheduling decision if she commits to the American project.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nShould Ms Ballas choose to pursue the American opportunity, she would follow a path trodden by previous Strictly judges, including the late Len Goodman, whom she replaced on the BBC panel, and Bruno Tonioli, who has been part of DWTS since its 2005 launch.\n\nMeanwhile, the identity of Strictly's new presenters remains unconfirmed, though reports indicate the race has narrowed to Zoe Ball and Emma Willis.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nSources suggest BBC executives are seeking a traditional presenter paired with a more unconventional choice, potentially a female comedian.\n\nGB News has contacted Ms Ballas's representatives for comment regarding the reports.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards:The GB News Editorial Charter **",
  "title": "Shirley Ballas sparks BBC Strictly exit fears with shock US judging role on 'rival show'"
}