Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has fuelled rumours she could be leaving the BBC show after admitting she hopes to be a "better grandmother than mother".
The 65-year-old has been at the centre of reports that she may not return to the beloved programme after speculation circulated that she has landed a role on US spin-off, Dancing With The Stars.
This week, she opened up about how she has regrets over parenting due to having such a busy career when her son Mark was young.
"I want to be a much better grandmother than I was a mother, as I was pursuing my career," the dancer admitted to The Mirror.
BBC Strictly's Shirley Ballas has prompted rumours she might be leaving the show
| BBCShe went on: "I have told him I don't think I was there for him. I used to have his teddy in my suitcase. It was very difficult for me."
The choreographer's son, now 39, is also a professional dancer based in the US, and has a two-year-old son, Banksi, with singer wife BC Jean.
The couple are currently expecting their second child.
Mark featured on the American version of Strictly, Dancing With The Stars, from 2007 to 2023, and has won the series three times.
Shirley Ballas is rumoured to be joining a Dancing With The Stars spin-off in the US
| BBCIt is rumoured Ms Ballas could be joining the show's new spin-off edition, although reports haven't been confirmed.
They state that Robert Irwin, who claimed victory in the most recent series of Dancing With The Stars, will present the new programme.
The account, RealitySteve, posted: "I know people were hoping for a DWTS-pro show for today's announcement. I can confirm it's happening.
"Robert Irwin is hosting, two of the judges are Mark Ballas and his mom, and the winner will be a pro on next season of DWTS. Announcement is coming soon."
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BBC Strictly presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly stepped down from the series last year
| BBCABC is expected to formally unveil the spin-off imminently, though precise filming dates remain unclear.
The timing has also proved significant, with hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman having quit Strictly Come Dancing after two decades of presenting the series, in Ms Daly's case.
They announced their departure in a joint video shared on social media, later bowing out during the 2025 Christmas Special. The pair said it felt like the "right time" to "pass over the baton."
Reflecting on their time on the show, they noted they had started when their children were “babies in arms”, and joked that they were now looking forward to saying “keep dancing” from the comfort of their sofa in “tracksuit bottoms”.
Shirley Ballas has talked about wanting to be a more present grandmother
| BBCSince both Strictly and Dancing With The Stars typically broadcast between September and December, Ms Ballas may have to make an exit from the BBC show if she's headed across the pond.
Should Ms Ballas choose to pursue the American opportunity, she would follow a path trodden by previous Strictly judges, including the late Len Goodman, whom she replaced on the BBC panel, and Bruno Tonioli, who has been part of DWTS since its 2005 launch.
Meanwhile, replacements for BBC Strictly presenters are yet to be announced, with several names circulating.
Sources suggest BBC executives are seeking a traditional presenter paired with a more unconventional choice.
GB News has contacted Ms Ballas's representatives for comment regarding the reports.