Shirley Ballas emotional on It Takes Two sparks exit speculation

Shirley Ballas fought back tears during a tribute on BBC's It Takes Two on Wednesday. The segment celebrated her decade as head judge on Strictly Come Dancing, featuring a video montage with messages from colleagues and her son.

Her son, Dancing with the Stars professional Mark Ballas, appeared in the video. He said his mother loved the craft and was dedicated to it, adding he could not think of anyone better to sit in the judging chair. Shirley Ballas was visibly moved, wiping tears from her eyes upon seeing the montage. She admitted she was not expecting to see her son and expressed her adoration for all the professionals on the show.

Messages of support

Fellow judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke shared their messages of support. Professional dancers Dianne Buswell and Lauren Oakley also sent their comments during the tribute. Former contestant and episode host Ellie Taylor hailed Ballas as an incredible judge. Shirley Ballas spoke about her love for the programme and pledged her commitment to it.

Exit speculation reignited

The emotional tribute immediately sparked debate among viewers on social media. Some interpreted the segment as a potential farewell, questioning if it was a goodbye or an exit interview. One user wondered why it felt like an exit interview for Shirley. Another commented that the video package, especially with Mark's appearance, gave vibes of it being her last series. A further viewer referenced her pledge of loyalty, suggesting such a statement often signals an impending departure.

Commitment to Strictly

Shirley Ballas directly addressed the speculation during the show. She stated she would be loyal to the show until the day they kick her off it. This reaffirmed her previous denial of exit rumours made in an October interview with Prima magazine. In that interview, the 66-year-old judge had stated she was one hundred percent not leaving Strictly. She also confirmed she would not be leaving the BBC show for a US opportunity, having recently accepted a guest judge position on Dancing with the Stars. She told the magazine that Dancing with the Stars would have a slightly different audience and that she could probably be more strict there.

Ten-year milestone

Shirley Ballas reflected on her ten-year tenure, which began in 2017 when she replaced Len Goodman. She said she was truly thankful for the time she has had on the show to give her knowledge. Ballas remarked it has been the most fabulous run ever and that she can still remember getting the call in 2017, never taking anything for granted. She expressed pride in those ten years and in every single person who has ever taken part, showing ultimate respect for the celebrities who sign up. She described Strictly as a tough show that is not for the weak-hearted or weak-minded. It Takes Two airs weeknights on BBC Two and iPlayer. Shirley Ballas finished by pledging her commitment to Strictly, saying she will be loyal until the day they kick her off it.