Shirley Ballas, the esteemed judge of Strictly Come Dancing, made a live appearance on Good Morning Britain to share details about her latest venture and drop tantalizing hints about the upcoming 2026 series of the beloved dance competition.
A New Spin-Off Series
The 65-year-old professional dancer joined hosts Susanna Reid and Ed Balls on Wednesday, 10th June, to discuss her involvement in a brand-new spin-off series titled Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro. The show, hosted by reigning champion Robert Irwin, follows 12 promising up-and-coming dancers as they live together and compete through a rigorous audition process for a coveted spot as a professional dancer on the forthcoming season of Dancing with the Stars.
Shirley, who recently returned from eight weeks in Brisbane, Australia, shared her excitement: "It was the most fascinating show I've ever done in my life. Conrad Green was the executive producer. The 12 professionals from around the world faced serious challenges in a short time. It will show the public how we find a professional and what goes into making a top dancer."
Judging Alongside Her Son
Shirley took on the role of judge alongside her son, Mark Ballas, who has been a professional dancer on the American version of Strictly since 2007. Reflecting on their collaboration, she said: "We had natural chemistry. He comes from 20 years on Dancing with the Stars, and I come from being a professional. He was absolutely extraordinary. I learned a lot watching him. He's very empathetic, but remember, these are professionals, not celebrities, so I'm tough on them."
Shirley added that if the show succeeds, it could expand globally: "If people tune in and it's a success, I believe it will go all around the world."
Teasing the 2026 Strictly Line-Up
During the interview, Shirley also hinted at the upcoming Strictly Come Dancing line-up, following the announcement of new hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe. "It's quite extraordinary!" she exclaimed, leaving Susanna and Ed in shock. "There will be people where you'll go, 'Wow!' I can't reveal names, but the BBC always picks incredible chemistry between celebrities. Off the record, it's quite extraordinary!"
Strictly Come Dancing is available to stream on BBC iPlayer, while Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV1 and ITVX at 6am.
