Strictly's Shirley Ballas teases 'changes' and details new project away from BBC show

Strictly Come Dancing’s Shirley Ballas has announced a new role that she claimed ‘may be bigger’ than the BBC series. Gracing the sofa of This Morning, the head judge appeared alongsode Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley this Monday (July 14), where she disclosed her hunt for a pooch to grace ITV's Coronation Street.

With her furry companion Charlie by her side, an intrigued Cat probed: "You're not on the show looking for a ballroom dancer, you are looking for something else right?"

In response, Shirley hinted at big plans: "Charlie and I will be looking for the next pup idol and this is going to be maybe be even bigger than Strictly and I'm very excited to find out which little pet is going to be coming on the show."

The quest for a four-legged talent is part of This Morning's competition named Pup Idol, seeking a dog with ample stage presence, charm, and an engaging character, reports Edinburgh Live.

Whoever bags the top spot will have the opportunity to parade down the Coronation Street set, sharing screen space with some of the nation’s cherished soap stars.

Emphasising her criteria, Shirley said: "We are looking for the best little pup in Great Britain so I'm very excited about that." She elaborates on the ideal canine candidate: one with a sterling temperament, affable, thoughtful, and impeccably presented, who won’t get sidetracked on set.

Ben explained: "So it's a This Morning competition and generally looking for any of our viewers who think their dog could be a TV superstar."

He then asked: "So will the dog be on Coronation Street?" Shirley confirmed: "Yes. They'll be taking a stroll through the cobbles so we really need it to be fabulous."

Shirley disclosed that among those joining her on the judging panel will be Coronation Street actress Jodie Prenger. Cat confessed: "That's going to be a tough job because I bet we are going to get some fantastic entries."

Shirley responded: "Fantastic entries, loving dogs and I just know I'm going to adore them all and want them all on the cobbles."

It wasn't long before Shirley was questioned about the forthcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing as Cat stated: "We can't let you go, sorry. We are not going to let you go, so come on what can you tell us about Strictly."

Shirley laughed as she said: "I knew this was coming. What I can tell you is that we've got fabulous professionals coming in and joining the show and they are amazing."

She then hinted: "We've got some little changes that you're going to be really surprised about. Every year they make those few little changes and it's really, really amazing and we've got a cast of all the cast and I know I say it every year but it's going to be off the charts."

This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV, ITVX, STV and STV Player