Shirley Ballas has teased that the judges will be getting a lot more involved in the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing.
While the head judge said she couldn’t go into too much detail, she welcomed the change to the BBC dance competition.
Speaking to the Standard at a Father’s Day Gala performance of musical comedy Mrs. Doubtfire in support of Comic Relief, Ballas, 62, said: “It’s already gearing up. The [celebrities] are picked already, lots of talent and bigger and better numbers. I think the judges will be involved a lot more this year.”
One person who will sadly be missing from the new series, which is due to return in the Autumn, is professional dancer Amy Dowden.
The fan-favourite announced last month that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer at just 32 and will be stepping back to focus on her treatment, which has so far included having two tumours surgically removed.
“I have been in touch with Amy weekly, but I write cards, I’m a card writer so I like to write to Amy,” Ballas said.
“She was a student a long time ago and I sent her flowers when she got out of hospital to brighten her day. So once a week I write her a nice card so she can laugh at my weakened foot that I did during the gardening, not even dancing! I’ve still got my heels on though!” she laughed as she pointed at a bandage on her right ankle while still rocking a killer pair of tan-coloured heels.
Describing herself as a “hardcore Mrs Doubtfire fan”, Ballas said she couldn’t wait to see how the classic 1993 film starring Robin Williams and Sally Fields translated on stage.
Mrs. Doubtfire, which recently opened in the West End, follows the story of out-of-work actor Daniel Hillard who after losing custody of his three children in a messy divorce, creates the âalter ego of Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire in a desperate attempt to stay in their lives.
Other celebrities in attendance included Hugh Grant, David Furnish, Sir Tony Robinson, Linda Robson, Lesley Joseph, Faye Tozer and Su Pollard.
