Shirley Ballas for Strictly Come Dancing 2025 / BBC
Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas has admitted that her ultimate ambition is to dance with her son Mark on the show.
The 65-year-old is gearing up to return for her ninth series on the ballroom show, while her son Mark, 39, is an established dancer across the pond on Dancing With The Stars, having been part of the pro lineup for the last 18 years.
“My life-long dream is to dance with my son Mark Ballas, who is three-time Dancing with the Stars champion in the United States,” she said.
“I’d love to dance a Viennese Waltz to ‘Without Love’ by Tom Jones, in a white chiffon dress. It’s on my bucket list but if I can’t get Mark to dance with me, I know I’ve always got the one and only Anton Du Beke to count on.”
Strictly has now been on air for 21 years and remains atop of the ratings – a fact Ballas puts down to the show’s universal appeal.
“Strictly has and always will be a family show,” she explained. “The Ballroom’s been engraved into the nation’s Saturday nights for 21 years.
“From the grandma and grandad to the little grandchildren, the whole family can sit down and enjoy an evening of glitz and glamour.
“They all have their favourites, their opinions and their scores and I think it’s a beautiful way to bring families together.
“Each year the Ballroom brings something new to keep the viewers on their toes, and this year is no different. Expect a few exciting changes and new twists and turns. It’s going to be an iconic series, that’s for sure.”
Strictly Come Dancing launches Saturday at 6.40pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
