Strictly's Shirley Ballas says she is "100% not leaving" amid exit rumours
Reports about whether Strictly Come Dancing judges Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse will return next year conflict: the Daily Express cites an insider saying they have no plans to leave, and Ballas told Prima she is staying.
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The story, neutrally told
Right · 1The Daily Express reported on 27 October that Strictly Come Dancing judges Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse's future on the show has been "sealed", after reported backstage fears that they could step away at the end of this series. Daily ExpressR “Strictly Come Dancing judges Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse's future on the show has been sealed.”“There were reportedly backstage fears that the beloved judges could step away from the show at the end of this series.” Read at Daily Express ↗ Right · 1The Express said The Sun had reported that Anton du Beke and Craig Revel-Horwood told bosses they are returning, while "Motsi and Shirley are yet to make up their minds"; a source quoted there called Ballas a possible "flight risk", especially if her guest appearance on Dancing With The Stars goes well. Daily ExpressR “The Sun claimed that while Anton and Craig were in, "Motsi and Shirley are yet to make up their minds."”“"Shirley in particular could be a flight risk for bosses — especially if her guest appearance on Dancing With The Stars goes well."” Read at Daily Express ↗ Right · 1A show insider told the Express that Ballas and Mabuse have no plans to leave, saying Du Beke and Revel-Horwood are signed up for theatre productions next year and have told the show they will be unavailable on Saturdays, whereas the two women have no theatre jobs. Daily ExpressR “a show insider has told Express.co.uk that Shirley and Motsi have no plans to leave.”“Shirley and Motsi don't have theatre jobs next year, and so don't have the same issue, and that's all there is to it.” Read at Daily Express ↗
Right · 1The Express added that none of the judges is expected to sign contracts for the next season until the 2026 series has finished, and that a Strictly representative had been contacted. Daily ExpressR “All of the stars are not expected to sign their contracts for the following season until the 2026 series is wrapped.” Read at Daily Express ↗ Centre · 1On 28 October Digital Spy reported that Ballas, in an interview with Prima conducted before this week, said: "I'm 100% not leaving Strictly!" Digital SpyN “In a new interview with Prima, Shirley has insisted that she isn't going anywhere any time soon.”“"I'm 100% not leaving Strictly!"” Read at Digital Spy ↗ Centre · 1Ballas said she will judge Strictly, fly to the US to guest judge Dancing with the Stars for Halloween, then return, calling it a job on her "wish list"; her son Mark is competing on that show. Digital SpyN “So I'll do Strictly and then I’ll fly over to the US and judge that, then come back again”“her son Mark is competing alongside Love Island's Maura Higgins” Read at Digital Spy ↗
Mixed · 2Separately, the Express relayed a Daily Mail report that bosses are considering replacing Josh Widdicombe in the presenting line-up with Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe; a show spokesperson told the Express this was "pure and utter speculation". Digital Spy noted claims that 2027 will bring another major overhaul, and Ballas spoke warmly of the new presenters. Daily ExpressR “However, a spokesperson for the show told Express.co.uk: "This is pure and utter speculation."” Read at Daily Express ↗ Digital SpyN “there's claims that 2027 will see another major overhaul across in terms of who we see on the screen.” Read at Digital Spy ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Frames the story as a direct denial from Ballas herself, set against constant Strictly exit rumours.
- Emphasis
- Ballas's own on-record quotes, her Dancing with the Stars guest slot and her view of the new presenters.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention Mabuse, or the Sun-reported uncertainty and the insider's theatre explanation.
- Charged language
- “adamantly shuts down”“always dogged by rumours”
- For example
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“Strictly Come Dancing is always dogged by rumours claiming that someone is going to leave the show soon” — Digital Spy
“"I'm 100% not leaving Strictly!"” — Digital Spy
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Exclusive-style piece that aggregates tabloid rumours (The Sun, Daily Mail) and counters them with an anonymous insider saying the judges' futures are secure.
- Emphasis
- Backstage confusion over the stories, the theatre-schedule explanation, and the presenter shake-up speculation.
- Leaves out or plays down
- No on-record comment from Ballas or Mabuse; the representative's response on the judges is not given.
- Charged language
- “sealed”“shock exit”“flight risk”
- For example
-
“Strictly judges Shirley and Motsi's future on show sealed as stars tipped for shock exit” — Daily Express
“Staff backstage have been very confused about where these stories are coming from.” — Daily Express
What every side reports
- Shirley Ballas is a Strictly Come Dancing judge and is guest judging on Dancing with the Stars.
- Both outlets report that Ballas is not planning to leave.
- Rumours of a 2027 shake-up are circulating.
Where accounts differ
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Whether Ballas and Mabuse have decided to stay
- Centre
- Digital Spy quotes Ballas saying she is "100% not leaving"; it does not address Mabuse.
- Right
- The Express headline says their future is sealed, citing an insider, while relaying The Sun's claim that they had not made up their minds.
Shirley Ballas person
Says on the record she is not leaving Strictly and is looking forward to guest judging Dancing with the Stars.
“"I'm 100% not leaving Strictly!"” — Digital Spy
Motsi Mabuse person
Not quoted; an Express insider says she has no plans to leave, while The Sun (as relayed) said she had not decided.
“a show insider has told Express.co.uk that Shirley and Motsi have no plans to leave.” — Daily Express
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre1 article
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Strictly judge Shirley Ballas adamantly shuts down rumours that she's leaving the BBC show
Neutral Presents Ballas's interview denial as shutting down the rumours.
Right1 article
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Strictly judges Shirley and Motsi's future on show sealed as stars tipped for shock exit
Mixed Reports rumours of an exit but leads with an insider's reassurance that the judges are staying.
- 27 Oct 20:01 First Daily ExpressR Strictly judges Shirley and Motsi's future on show sealed as stars tipped for shock exit
- 28 Oct 07:00 +10h 59m Digital SpyN Strictly judge Shirley Ballas adamantly shuts down rumours that she's leaving the BBC show
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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