MEET SHIRLEY... STRICTLY’S SHOCK CHOICE TO REPLACE LEN
LATIN DANCE CHAMP IS HEAD JUDGE
STRICTLY fans were wrong-footed yesterday when a relative unknown was announced as replacement for Len Goodman as head judge on the TV dance contest.
After months of fevered speculation, bosses revealed that Shirley Ballas, 56, described as the “Queen of Latin”, will take over when the show returns later this year.
Strictly Come Dancing bosses were inundated with applicants for the role.
But in the end they plumped for retired dancer Shirley, describing her as an “acclaimed and respected international coach”.
The choice of the Latin specialist from Merseyside confounded bookies, who had made Strictly professional dancer Anton Du Beke, 50, the favourite to replace Len, 73, who retired at the end of the last series.
Another hopeful was Karen Hardy, 46, a regular on Strictly’s sister show, It Takes Two.
Shirley, the three-time Latin American and multiple British dance champion, will now join regular judges Bruno Tonioli, 61, Craig Revel Horwood, 52, and Darcey Bussell, 48, for the 15th run of the show.
Despite being new to the panel, Shirley will have the casting vote when celebrity couples face the dreaded dance-off. She said: “I am so excited and over the moon to have been given this wonderful opportunity.
“I can’t wait to get into the ballroom and be part of the incredible and respected judging panel.
“Strictly is so loved by the British public, I have always been a massive fan. I just can’t wait.”
Shirley has one son, professional ballroom dancer Mark Ballas, 31, by her second husband, the US dance star Corky Ballas, 56.
The couple separated and the Texan embarked on a relationship with Strictly professional Kristina Rihanoff after he became her teacher in 2003.
Russian Kristina, 39, who has a daughter with ex-England rugby star and former Strictly dance partner Ben Cohen, 38, enjoyed a five-year relationship with Corky.
But a spokesman for Shirley said Kristina “had nothing to do with the divorce” and the women were “good friends”.
East End-born Len had been a mainstay of the BBC ballroom show since it hit screens in 2004.
After he announced his retirement last year, Daily Express readers tried to change his mind, saying the show would not be the same without him.
Asked whether he would cancel his retirement plans in the light of readers’ demands, he said: “I’d like to say yes but if I’m being totally honest I couldn’t change my mind.
“I’d much prefer to leave the show with people saying ‘oh, what a shame Len’s going’ rather than ‘thank heavens he’s off’.
“I just feel this is a good time for me to leave. Plus my father died when he was 79... I need to have more ‘me’ time.
“I would say to all the readers – thank you so much. I’ve had so many wonderful letters and kind thoughts from people and I didn’t know so many would miss me being on the show.” Louise Rainbow, Strictly’s executive producer, said: “I am thrilled Shirley has agreed to join our judging panel.
“The calibre of applicants for this role was exceptional but with her wealth of experience as a world champion dancer, teacher and judge, she is the perfect fit.”
BBC controller Charlotte Moore added: “Len’s are big shoes to fill but the Queen of Latin is the ideal new Strictly judge. Shirley is going to be a fabulous addition to the best judging panel in showbiz.”
Last year’s final saw rank outsider and BBC Sport presenter Ore Oduba, 31, and his professional partner Joanne Clifton, 33, lift the Strictly glitter ball trophy.
Bookmakers expected the final to be the closest ever with model Louise Redknapp, 42, and former Hollyoaks actor Danny Mac, 29, expected to slug it out for glory. But 7/1 outsiders Ore and Joanne scored a stunning victory leaving bookmakers Coral to say: “This has to go down as one of the biggest shocks ever.”
BBC bosses will be hoping for similar high drama when the show returns with Shirley at the helm later this year.
‘I am a massive fan of show and I can’t wait to get started’
AS SAD as it was to say goodbye to retiring head judge Len Goodman, the Strictly Come Dancing show must go on and that means the addition of new judge Shirley Ballas. Dubbed the Queen of Latin she certainly has the qualifications for taking on this coveted position. Hopefully the viewers will be giving her 10 out of 10.