Tour miss puts Strictly judge’s future in doubt
SHIRLEY BALLAS will not appear as a judge on the Strictly Come Dancing tour, prompting questions over her future on the BBC One show.
Details of the tour were unveiled yesterday, with Darcey Bussell, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood appearing, but Ballas missing as head judge.
Sources said she was undecided about a second series. She replaced Len Goodman this year, but was criticised for her “harsh” style. She has said: “Don’t anyone tell me how to do my job. I’ve been doing this since I was 16.”
Asked if she would do a second series, Ballas would not commit but has spoken of missing her son, Mark, a professional on Dancing With The Stars, the US version of the show. Ballas lived nearby in Los Angeles until she signed for Strictly.
A spokesman said three judges was normal on tour and Bussell had not appeared in previous years. However, insiders said they had been waiting for Ballas to confirm her involvement. It is unusual for a head judge to miss the tour. Contracts for the next series have yet to be signed, but keen to avoid the “ageism” furore around the departure of Arlene Phillips in 2009, the BBC hopes that Ballas, 57, will return.
There have been rumours of friction between Ballas and other judges, but she has said the job is “a laugh a minute. I have known Bruno for 11 years and I love him to bits. Craig is a big soft pussycat and Darcey is very mothering and sweet.” Celebrities confirmed for the tour are the four Strictly finalists – Alexandra Burke, Gemma Atkinson, Joe Mcfadden and Debbie Mcgee – along with Susan Calman, Davood Ghadami and Jonnie Peacock. The tour opens in Birmingham on Jan 19, hosted by Ore Oduba, the current champion.
Shirley Ballas told The Sun it would be “an honour” to be invited back to “such a magnificent show”. She said the live tour only required three judges and being the “newbie” she missed out.