Strictly star Shirley Ballas admits she nearly quit show following 'constant criticism'
How different the show would have been without her!Strictly star Shirley Ballas has revealed that she almost quit the show a year after joining.
Shirley has been on the show since 2017, replacing the late Len Goodman as head judge after his exit.
Shirley Ballas on almost quitting Strictly
During a new interview with Saga magazine, Shirley, 65, opened up about how she wasn’t sure if she wanted to return to Strictly in 2018 after all the criticism she received during her debut series.
“I didn’t know if I wanted the job back because of the intrusion, people selling stories, the constant criticism,” she said.
However, the star revealed that it was her son, Mark, who convinced her to stay.
He told his mum that the show would give her the platform to be able to shout about the causes that she’s most passionate about.
Shirley on Tess and Claudia’s departures
Elsewhere in the interview, Shirley opened up about Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s departures.
Tess and Claudia left the show at the end of this year’s final, meaning 2026 will see new hosts front the programme.
“Everyone was surprised [by the news]. I share the changing room next to them, and they are full of giggles and laughter. They also showed me the way from when I joined until now, so it will be a sad day when they go,” she said.
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Strictly star Shirley Ballas on her future on the show
Back in November, Shirley addressed her future on the show, following the news that Tess and Claudia would be leaving.
Speaking to Best magazine, she said: “One day, I will be ready to move on, too. And that will be my choice. But Strictly Come Dancing is an institution. It will thrive for as long as it is bringing joy to the public – the public is who Strictly is for.”
She also added that the show will survive Tess and Claudia’s departures.
“It survived both Len Goodman and Sir Bruce Forsyth leaving, bless them both. Strictly is bigger than any of us – the celebrities, professionals, presenters and judges. It’s like Coronation Street in that no one is bigger than the show,” she said.
Read more: Strictly fans demand Jodie Ounsley to join main show following Christmas special
Strictly will return in 2026 to BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
