Shirley Ballas says she is staying on Strictly while guest-judging Dancing With the Stars
Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas told Prima magazine she is "100% not leaving Strictly" while taking a one-off Halloween guest-judge slot on the US show Dancing With the Stars, where Ballas's son Mark is a professional.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has said Ballas is not leaving the BBC show, despite taking a guest-judging role on the US competition Dancing With the Stars. Daily ExpressR “But I'm 100% not leaving Strictly!” Read at Daily Express ↗ The IndependentLC “I'm 100 per cent not leaving Strictly.” Read at The Independent ↗ Mixed · 2Speaking to Prima magazine, for its December 2026 issue, Ballas called the US appearance "double duty this year" and said it was "a job I've always wanted" that had been on a "wishlist". Daily ExpressR “So, it's double duty this year. That was a job I've always wanted. It's been on my wishlist.” Read at Daily Express ↗ The IndependentLC “It's double duty this year” Read at The Independent ↗ Mixed · 2Ballas said the US show would have "a slightly different audience" and that Ballas could "probably be more strict". Daily ExpressR “I think I can probably be more strict.” Read at Daily Express ↗ The IndependentLC “I feel that Dancing with the Stars will be a slightly different audience.” Read at The Independent ↗
Mixed · 2The Independent reported that speculation had been building that the current series could be Ballas's last, with Ballas heading to the US; the Express framed the story as a confirmation of Ballas's Strictly future. The IndependentLC “there has been mounting speculation that the latest series of Strictly could be her swansong” Read at The Independent ↗ Daily ExpressR “has confirmed her future on the BBC show after landing an exciting new role across the pond” Read at Daily Express ↗ Left · 1According to the Independent, Ballas appeared as a guest judge on Tuesday 27 October and surprised contestants and fellow judges with harsh scoring, giving actors Julia Stiles and Tatyana Ali fours. The IndependentLC “blindsided contestants and fellow judges with her harsh scoring”“giving actors Julia Stiles and Tatyana Ali fours” Read at The Independent ↗ Mixed · 2Ballas's son Mark Ballas, a professional on the US show partnered with Maura Higgins, received a seven for a contemporary dance from Ballas, while other judges, including former Strictly colleague Bruno Tonioli, gave eights and nines. The IndependentLC “She awarded the dancing couple a seven for their contemporary dance” Read at The Independent ↗ Daily ExpressR “Her son, Mark Ballas, is currently partnered up with former Love Island star Maura Higgins.” Read at Daily Express ↗
Left · 1Ballas also gave the series' first 10 so far to Harry Shum Jr and Jenna Johnson, for a total of 40, and is due back in the UK for Strictly's Halloween weekend special on Saturday 31 October. The IndependentLC “giving out the first 10 of the series so far to actor Harry Shum Jr and his partner Jenna Johnson”“She will return to the UK in time for Strictly’s Halloween weekend special on Saturday (31 October).” Read at The Independent ↗ Right · 1Ballas has been on the Strictly panel since 2017; the Express says Ballas was head judge until last year and quotes Ballas saying Craig Revel Horwood relishes the casting vote now shared among judges. Daily ExpressR “has been part of the judging panel since 2017, serving as head judge until last year”“it's also nice that they get a turn to send somebody home.” Read at Daily Express ↗ Left · 1The Independent notes that Bruno Tonioli and the late Len Goodman both judged on both shows; Tonioli quit the UK version in 2022 because of the transatlantic commute. The IndependentLC “Bruno, 70, who is a judge on the ABC show, quit the UK version in 2022 because of the gruelling transatlantic commute.” Read at The Independent ↗
Right · 1The Express also reported that some Strictly viewers criticised Ballas online after Ballas's decision to save Shaun Wright-Phillips over Jamie Winstone in the week-five dance-off, after Craig, Motsi and Anton voted to save Jamie and Carlos Gu. Daily ExpressR “it was Shirley's decision to save Shaun that left viewers gobsmacked and sparked backlash online” Read at Daily Express ↗
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.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- The Independent leads on the speculation over Ballas's exit, then Ballas's denial, and spends most of its space on the US appearance: scores given and the history of judges working on both shows.
- Emphasis
- Scores on Dancing With the Stars, Ballas's harsh marking including of Mark Ballas, and precedent set by Tonioli and Goodman.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention the Strictly dance-off backlash or Ballas's comments on the head-judge role and the new hosts.
- Charged language
- “swansong”“blindsided”
- For example
-
“there has been mounting speculation that the latest series of Strictly could be her swansong” — The Independent
“blindsided contestants and fellow judges with her harsh scoring” — The Independent
Centre1 outlet
No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- The Daily Express presents the Prima interview as a confirmation of Ballas's Strictly future and adds fan controversy around Ballas's dance-off decision.
- Emphasis
- Ballas's Prima comments on the head-judge role, the former hosts, and fan backlash over saving Shaun Wright-Phillips; suggests extra scrutiny when Ballas scores Mark Ballas.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not report the actual scores from the US show, which took place on 27 October, or the history of Tonioli and Goodman on both shows.
- Charged language
- “gobsmacked”“come under fire”“double duty”
- For example
-
“Ms Ballas has come under fire from Strictly fans, with some accusing the judge of showing a clear dislike for Jamie Winstone.” — Daily Express
“left viewers gobsmacked and sparked backlash online” — Daily Express
What every side reports
- Shirley Ballas has been a Strictly Come Dancing judge since 2017.
- Ballas told Prima magazine that Ballas is judging Dancing With the Stars and is '100% not leaving Strictly'.
- Ballas's son Mark Ballas is a professional on Dancing With the Stars, partnered with Maura Higgins.
Where accounts differ
-
What the story shows about Ballas's Strictly future
- Left
- The Independent says there was mounting speculation that this series could be Ballas's swansong, which Ballas denied.
- Right
- The Express says Ballas has confirmed a future on Strictly, without mentioning exit speculation.
Shirley Ballas person
Says the Dancing With the Stars slot is a long-wanted extra job and that Ballas is staying on Strictly.
“It's going to be very interesting. But I'm 100% not leaving Strictly!” — Daily Express
“It's double duty this year” — The Independent
Left1 article
-
Strictly judge Shirley Ballas addresses future on series after speculation over exit
Neutral Frames Ballas's denial against exit speculation and reports the US scoring and precedent of judges working on both shows.
Centre1 article
Right1 article
-
Shirley Ballas confirms Strictly future as she lands new job
Mixed Treats the Prima quotes as a reassurance for fans, then pivots to online criticism of Ballas's dance-off vote.
- 28 Oct 00:01 First Daily ExpressR Shirley Ballas confirms Strictly future as she lands new job
- 28 Oct 08:51 +8h 51m The IndependentLC Strictly judge Shirley Ballas addresses future on series after speculation over exit
- 28 Oct 10:04 +10h 3m Radio TimesN Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas responds to rumours that she'll be leaving the show
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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