Strictly Come Dancing host Tess Daly has said she hopes new head judge Shirley Ballas keeps the men on the panel in line as she admitted she would love to compete in the show herself.
The 56-year-old, known as the Queen of Latin, was announced as the surprise new head judge on the BBC One show, taking over from Len Goodman, 73.
Len Goodman (Ian West/PA)
Daly told ITV’s Lorraine: “She’s a Wirral lass … so she’s coming home to be on our panel – and I can’t wait to see another lady.
“(She has) so much experience, her credentials are unshakeable – she’s phenomenal, isn’t she? I can’t wait to see. I think she’s going to keep those two boys in order, especially that naughty one on the end, Bruno (Tonioli).
“He needs keeping under control, he’s up out of his chair, he gets very excitable but I love him for that.”
Shirley will take Len’s place on the panel (Kieron McCarron/BBC/PA Images)
Daly said she is already looking forward to the next series of the show, which will start in the autumn.
“I can’t wait. It seems to come round quicker and quicker every year. (We’re) finding out a few names who might be in the mix, fingers crossed for some good ones.”
Tess and with co-host Claudia Winkleman (BBC)
Asked whether she would ever take a turn around the famous ballroom floor herself, she said: “I couldn’t really because I couldn’t be in two places at once. But I do watch the celebrities, particularly those who haven’t danced before, and you see them learn a whole new skill and how they blossom and love every moment of it.
“There is a part of me that thinks I would love to be able to do that… come on Anton, give me a twirl, give me a dip, lift me up. It looks like they have a blast, you know, so I would rather enjoy it.
“But I do feel for them as they get so nervous on a Saturday night.”
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules here