Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas will make a guest appearance on the US series Dancing with the Stars next week. The 66-year-old announced on social media that she has packed her "tiny shoes" and is heading to America.
Guest Judge Role
Shirley will judge a variety of new celebrities and dancers, including her son Mark Ballas, a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars who is currently paired with Love Island's Maura Higgins.
Alfonso Ribeiro, the host of the US series, revealed the news at the end of the episode aired on Tuesday, October 20. He said: "Next Tuesday on horror movie night, our special guest judge is our dancers' worst nightmare – Shirley Ballas!"
Impact on Strictly Schedule
Shirley's decision to fly across the pond has raised questions about how it will affect her Strictly commitments. One fan commented on her post: "So so pleased for you Shirley but please don't leave us in the UK. I am glad the states have got to love you almost as much as us strictly fans do. Your sparkle your knowledge your humour is all amazing. The tiny shoes much love and light to you. Smash it."
Strictly Come Dancing is filmed live on a Saturday, with the results show filmed shortly afterwards on the same day, although it airs on Sunday. Since dancers and celebrities rehearse during the week, Shirley is not needed for those times. Dancing with the Stars airs on Tuesday nights.
Whirlwind Travel Plans
This means Shirley could fly to Los Angeles after Strictly finishes filming on Saturday, October 24, appear as a guest judge on Dancing with the Stars on Tuesday, October 27, and be back in her judge's chair for Halloween week by Saturday, October 31.
A source told The Sun: "Shirley will fly to the US later this month after the Strictly live show finishes. She will then film Dancing With The Stars on Tuesday night in Los Angeles, before flying back to the UK for Strictly the following day. It's a whirlwind schedule but she jumped at the chance to take part."
Shirley previously worked with her son Mark on Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro, which helped the series decide who would become their new professional dancer. At the time she said, "a dream of mine to judge alongside my son Mark Ballas has finally come true."
The source added: "TV bosses in the US loved Shirley on the spin-off. That's why they booked her for the main run. She translated so well with the American audience and rated really well."
This time, instead of judging alongside her son, Shirley will be judging him for the first time ever on TV. Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturday, October 24.
