STRICTLY Come Dancing’s judging line-up for the upcoming 2026 series has been confirmed, after Head Judge Shirley Ballas revealed she had joined rival US show Dancing With The Stars.
It also comes amid a major shake up in the BBC show as several professional dancers have been culled from its books, while head judge Shirley Ballas.
Strictly Come Dancing’s judging line-up for the upcoming 2026 series has been confirmed Credit: PA
Despite hints she would be waltzing away from the competition, Shirley is set to reprise her role on the judging panel.
She rejoins co-stars Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.
Some Strictly fans were worried Shirley wouldn’t be returning after the star revealed she was headed across the pond for a new role on Dancing With The Stars spin-off The Next Pro.
The series will be hosted by Robert Irwin and will follow dancers auditioning to become one of the professional partners on the upcoming series of the main show.
Shirley will be judging the applicants alongside her son Mark Ballas, who is also a professional dancer and has won Dancing With The Stars three times in the past.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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