‘Strictly’s in good hands’ with new head judge Shirley Ballas
STRICTLY star Tess Daly has welcomed the appointment of new head judge Shirley Ballas, saying, “What she doesn’t know about ballroom isn’t worth knowing,” writes Tom Atkinson.
'She's fierce': Arlene Phillips on new Strictly judge Shirley Ballas
Shirley, 56, is due to take over from retiring Len Goodman for the next series of the BBC show.
She has already appeared on the US version of Strictly, Dancing With The Stars.
Tess, 48, said she believed BBC bosses had found the ideal replacement for much-loved Len.
She tells today’s S Magazine: “We don’t know Shirley on our TV screens yet but what we do know is that her dance credentials are pretty unshakeable.
“She comes from a ballroom background. She is a champion herself, of course, and what she doesn’t know about ballroom isn’t worth knowing.
Tess Daly was full of praise for new head judge Shirley Ballas
What she doesn’t know about ballroom isn’t worth knowing
“Len’s area of expertise was ballroom and we needed to fill the gap that he would leave.”
Tess, whose husband is TV host Vernon Kay, was tightlipped on which stars would appear on the news series.
Shirley is due to take over from retiring Len Goodman for the next series of the BBC show
She said: “Sometimes you get really excited about someone and want to shout it form the rooftops, but you can’t.
“I’m not allowed. Sometimes it might slip out over dinner with the husband but luckily he hasn’t told anybody yet.”
See S Magazine for the full interview