SHIRLEY BALLAS PLANS HALLOWEEN DANCING WITH THE STARS APPEARANCE

Shirley Ballas says she will judge Dancing With the Stars in the United States for Halloween while continuing her work on Strictly Come Dancing. Ballas said she would fulfil her Strictly commitments, fly to the US for the appearance and then return. She said the Halloween programme would mark her first time judging the American competition. She described the arrangement as “double duty this year”.

Ballas said the Dancing With the Stars role was “a job I’ve always wanted” and had been on her wish list. She expects a different audience in the US and said she might take a stricter approach to judging there. “I think I can probably be more strict,” she said. Ballas has served on the Strictly judging panel since 2017. Her son, Mark Ballas, is taking part in Dancing With the Stars alongside his partner, Maura Higgins.

Ballas said, “But I’m 100% not leaving Strictly!” She also discussed Strictly’s casting vote, saying Craig Revel Horwood has the deciding vote when judges must choose who leaves the competition. Ballas said Horwood enjoys making that decision. She added that Motsi did not enjoy it as much when the judges each took a turn. Ballas gave no date for her return from the US beyond saying she would come back after the Halloween appearance.