Shirley Ballas fuels rumours she’s quitting Strictly with cryptic statement

An emotional statement about family, timing and regret has reignited speculation over Shirley Ballas’s future on Strictly Come Dancing — and raised fresh questions about whether the head judge is preparing to walk away. The 65-year-old has been at the centre of growing reports that she may not return to the BBC ballroom, with talk swirling that a move to the US could already be in motion. Now, her own words about motherhood and grandmotherhood have added fuel to the fire.

Speaking this week, Shirley admitted she hopes to be a “better grandmother than mother” after years spent prioritising her career — a remark that has been interpreted by fans as a possible sign she is reassessing her next chapter. “I want to be a much better grandmother than I was a mother, as I was pursuing my career,” she told The Mirror. Shirley went on to make a deeply personal admission about her relationship with her son Mark, now 39, as she reflected on the demands of life as a touring dancer and choreographer.

She said: “I have told him I don’t think I was there for him. I used to have his teddy in my suitcase. It was very difficult for me.”

Mark, who followed his mother into the dance world, is now a successful professional dancer based in the US. He shares a two-year-old son, Banksi, with his singer wife BC Jean, and the couple are currently expecting their second child.

The family connection to America has only intensified speculation that Shirley could be heading stateside herself.

Mark was a long-standing fixture on Dancing With The Stars between 2007 and 2023, winning the series three times. Reports now suggest Shirley could be involved in a new spin-off of the show — although nothing has been formally confirmed.

The rumour mill went into overdrive after RealitySteve, a US-based entertainment account, claimed insider knowledge of the project.

The account posted: “I know people were hoping for a DWTS-pro show for today’s announcement. I can confirm it’s happening.

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“Robert Irwin is hosting, two of the judges are Mark Ballas and his mom, and the winner will be a pro on next season of DWTS. Announcement is coming soon.”

ABC is expected to formally unveil the spin-off imminently, though filming dates have yet to be confirmed.

The timing is significant. Both Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing With The Stars typically air between September and December, meaning Shirley would face a scheduling clash if she accepted a US role — potentially forcing her to exit the BBC series.

Any departure would come at a moment of major change for Strictly Come Dancing. Long-time hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman recently announced they were stepping down after two decades fronting the show.

Should Shirley choose to cross the Atlantic, she would be following in the footsteps of former Strictly judges, including the late Len Goodman — whom she replaced as head judge — and Bruno Tonioli, who has been part of Dancing With The Stars for years. 

Meanwhile, replacements for the BBC presenting roles are yet to be announced, with several names already circulating.