Reports suggesting two Strictly Come Dancing judges could leave the show have been dismissed as nonsense by a BBC insider. Speculation claimed Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse may bow out ahead of the 2027 series, but a source told Express.co.uk the theory is based solely on the fact that Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke are both performing in theatre tours next autumn.
Tour Dates Fuel Speculation
According to reports, both Du Beke and Revel Horwood have told producers they intend to return for the 2027 series, while Ballas and Mabuse have no such indicators in place. A source told The Sun: "Strictly love the current judging panel and are really keen to try and persuade everyone to come back next year."
"Contract negotiations won't start until the current series is wrapped, but already Craig and Anton have made it clear they intend to return. Motsi and Shirley are yet to make up their minds. Shirley in particular could be a flight risk for bosses—especially if her guest appearance on Dancing With The Stars goes well," they added.
BBC Insider Rejects Claims
However, speaking to Express.co.uk, a BBC insider said this was nonsense and the speculation is purely based on the fact that Craig and Anton are both performing in theatre tours next autumn. "The websites for both productions advise they won't appear on the Saturday dates making it obvious they will be in Elstree recording Strictly that day," they said.
"Shirley and Motsi don't have theatre tours taking place, so the publication's source seems to have based these 'fears they both might quit' theory on that," they added. The BBC have said they cannot comment on individual contractual matters.
Shirley's US Appearance
Speculation is also being fuelled by the fact head judge Shirley is appearing on the American equivalent of Strictly Come Dancing, Dancing with the Stars, as a guest judge. She is joining the panel for the show's Horror Movie Night episode on Tuesday October 27.
Her son Mark, whom she shares with second ex-husband Corky Ballas, has been a professional dancer on the programme since 2007 and is paired with Love Island's Maura Higgins in this year's contest. This will mark the first time Shirley has ever judged the three-time Dancing With the Stars champion on a live competition show.
Other Strictly judges have appeared on the US counterpart in the past without compromising their role on Strictly. The late Len Goodman, who was with Strictly from the show's very first series in 2004 until his departure at the end of 2016, served as the head judge for both shows, often flying back and forth across the Atlantic to film them simultaneously. He joined the American adaptation at its inception in 2005 and remained the head judge until he retired at the end of 2022 to spend more time with his family. Meanwhile, Bruno Tonioli was an original judge on both sides of the Atlantic, maintaining a transatlantic travel schedule every autumn for 14 years until the pandemic made it impossible.
