Image Source: The Sun
Shirley Ballas is heading across the Atlantic after securing a guest judging role on the US version of Strictly Come Dancing, Dancing With The Stars. The ballroom expert has signed on the dotted line and is expected to make her debut in the coming weeks.
The move will see the Strictly head judge follow in the footsteps of former BBC stars Bruno Tonioli and the late Len Goodman, both of whom served on the British and American dance shows.
Shirley Ballas lands exciting Dancing With The Stars role
According to reporting by The Sun, Ballas will travel to the United States later this month after a Strictly live show. She is then expected to film Dancing With The Stars on a Tuesday evening in Los Angeles before flying back to the UK the following day.
The schedule is expected to be demanding, but an insider said Ballas “jumped at the chance” to take part. The guest appearance is currently planned as a one-off for this run, although a successful debut could lead to more opportunities with US television bosses.
“Shirley will fly to the US later this month after the Strictly live show finishes,” the source said. “She will then film Dancing With The Stars on Tuesday night in Los Angeles, before flying back to the UK for Strictly the following day.”
A whirlwind schedule between Strictly and US television
Ballas has been a major figure on Strictly Come Dancing since joining the programme as head judge in 2017. Her role has made her one of the most recognisable faces in British ballroom television, with viewers regularly tuning in for her technical opinions and dramatic scoring moments.
The transatlantic booking comes after Ballas already impressed American audiences on the spin-off programme Dancing With The Stars: The Next Pro earlier this year. She appeared as a judge alongside her son Mark, who is a professional dancer on Dancing With The Stars.
Insiders reportedly believe that her performance on the spin-off helped secure the new opportunity. A source claimed that US television executives liked how Ballas connected with the American audience and responded positively to her appearance.
“TV bosses in the US loved Shirley on the spin-off,” the source said. “That’s why they booked her for the main run.”
Why Shirley Ballas’s appointment is significant
Ballas’s appointment strengthens the long-running connection between Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing With The Stars. The two programmes share the same ballroom foundations and have often attracted dancers, judges and choreographers who move between the UK and US versions.
Len Goodman was a judge on both shows from their early years. Strictly began in 2004, while Dancing With The Stars launched in the United States the following year. Goodman later stepped back from Strictly before leaving the American series in 2023.
Bruno Tonioli also spent more than a decade juggling both programmes. However, he left Strictly in 2022, explaining that the constant flights between Britain and the United States had become too difficult.
“I just couldn’t do the flying any more,” Tonioli previously said. “I don’t know how I survived that schedule. To be honest, it’s a miracle.”
Ballas will now face a similar challenge, although her confirmed appearance is expected to involve only a short period of filming. Her ability to return quickly to the UK means Strictly viewers are not expected to lose her from the live shows.
Could the guest appearance become permanent?
The new booking could be the beginning of a larger American television role. If Ballas makes a strong impression as a guest judge, producers may consider bringing her back for future episodes or another series.
For now, the focus will be on her first appearance and how she fits alongside the existing Dancing With The Stars judging panel. The US show currently features judges including Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli.
Ballas’s representatives were approached for comment about the appointment. Her debut date has not been publicly confirmed, but filming is expected to take place later this month.
FAQs about Shirley Ballas and Dancing With The Stars
What role will Shirley Ballas have on Dancing With The Stars?
Shirley Ballas will appear as a guest judge on the US version of Dancing With The Stars.
When will Shirley Ballas begin filming?
She is expected to film in Los Angeles on a Tuesday later this month, after completing a Strictly live show.
Will Shirley Ballas leave Strictly Come Dancing?
No. The reported plan is for Ballas to fit the US filming around her existing Strictly schedule and return to the UK for the following live show.
Has Shirley Ballas appeared on the US show before?
She previously appeared on the spin-off Dancing With The Stars: The Next Pro alongside her son Mark, a professional dancer on the programme.
