New judge Shirley in ‘snub’ by old pal Len

LEN Goodman still hasn’t contacted his replacement Shirley Ballas to wish her luck in her new role, we can reveal.

It has been four months since it was announced she had been hired to take over as Strictly’s head judge.

But Len is yet to get in touch with the “family friend” to wish her luck or offer advice.

Shirley, 57, was seen giving her views to contestants for the first time on last night’s show.

In an exclusive chat with the Daily Star

Sunday, she confirmed there has been no contact from Len, 73.

She said: “Len has been from a distance. Our paths haven’t crossed at the moment. He’s been busy, I’ve been busy.”

Show sources last night branded it a

“snub”. One insider said: “Len has had four months to send Shirley a message to give her his blessing, but there’s been nothing.

“Shirley is insisting they’ve both just been busy but it looks like a snub. She would have gone into the first live show with a spring in her step if she’d known she had Len’s backing.” Len and Shirley have been close in the past. She said: “He’s always been a family friend for lunch. So we know him very, very well. He judged me when I was a very little girl.” During Len’s 14 years on the Strictly panel he was known for his no-nonsense approach.

In his final series he even told singer Will Young: “Turn up, keep up and shut up.”

And Shirley has warned she will be just as tough on celebs. She said: “Len had very high standards and I think I’m coming in with extremely high standards. I have a resumé – it’s 50 years of my life that I’ve dedicated to the dance industry.” Shirley was picked to be the head judge ahead of professionals Anton Du Beke and Brendan Cole. In July when the BBC announced her appointment, Len publicly backed his replacement. On This Morning, he said: “I’ve known Shirley for years and years – she’s as good as gold. She knows what she’s talking about… she’s a lovely girl.”