Shirley Ballas will return as head judge on Strictly Come Dancing this year, it’s been reported.
New judge Shirley joined Strictly Come Dancing last series in place of Len Goodman, who stepped down after a decade in 2016.
As well as taking over his seat on the panel, Shirley became the new head judge and had the casting vote in the dance off.
It’s been claimed today that Shirley will return this autumn, agreeing a new deal with BBC bosses.
She’ll be back alongside fellow judges Darcey Bussell, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood.
A source told The Sun newspaper: Shirley and the BBC wanted to do another series so everyone’s chuffed they’ve come to an agreement. The whole panel is coming back.
“Viewers seemed to like the chemistry between them. It’s all verbally agreed. Formal contracts should be signed in the coming days.”
The new judge faced a backlash from some Strictly fans, prompting her to hit back after one dance-off decision saw Aston Merrygold depart.
She said in an interview with the Daily Mail newspaper at the time: “I judge with no fear or favour, but it has been a very tough week and I really don’t like to see somebody go home.
“But I entirely stand by my decision and that will never change. Don’t anyone tell me how to do my job – I’ve been doing this since I was 16.”
Meanwhile, Shirley told one Strictly fan to “get a life” earlier this year after they accused of her of getting Brendan Cole fired.
Brendan, one of the show’s original pro dancers, confirmed he had been axed by the BBC in the week after 15 series.
Responding to criticism from one person on Twitter over Brendan’s departure, Shirley said: “You have no idea what you r talking about. Get a life”.
Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One.
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