All the signs Shirley Ballas is quitting Strictly as she heads to America to judge her own son

All the signs Shirley Ballas is quitting Strictly as she heads to America to judge her own son Shirley Ballas has been dropping hints that she wants to see what other career opportunities are out there, but does that mean she'll soon call time on nearly a decade on Strictly? BBC producers are said to be growing edgy that Strictly's popular judging panel could be split up at the end of the series, without Shirley Ballas understood not to have indicted her future yet. Bosses are starting to fear that the head judge and Motsi Mabuse may not be back in 2027 and, despite contract talks officially not yet starting, sources close to Shirley suggest there's no big hurry to sign the contract. While Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood have already made clear they intend to back back, viewers face a waiting game to see if the panel will stay the same for a sixth series. Shirley's future has been called into question after she quickstepping over the Atlantic after landing a huge gig on the US counterpart Dancing With The Stars. She will follow the likes of Bruno Tonioli and Len Goodman to switch to the US version of the show - but she isn't leaving Strictly yet, and insiders claim she will fit filming in between the live shows. DWTS is filmed throughout the week, she will then return in time for the live weekend shows and she will have to judge the efforts of her son Mark, who is one of the programme's professional dancers. Shirley initially joined Strictly as head judge in 2017. But fellow judge Craig recently joked she will never be able to fill the boots of late legend Len, who died in 2023 at the age of 78. 'For me, he was Strictly Come Dancing, Craig said at the unveiling of a tribute sculpture to the legendary judge at the Goodman Dance Academy in Dartford in July. "His sayings… ‘A ten from Len’ was a huge one. Shirley has tried to replicate that one, but sadly, she failed.” There is little doubt Craig wants to carry on. The star has served on the judging panel since the inaugural series of the beloved show in 2004, while Anton assumed his position at the table in 2021. Now we face an anxious wait to see if long-serving Shirley - who would be celebraing a decade on the show if she stayed - and Motsi, who has been on the panel since 2019, will remain. "Strictly love the current judging panel and are really keen to try and persuade everyone to come back next year," a source told The Sun. "Contract negotiations won’t start until the current series is wrapped, but already Craig and Anton have made it clear they intend to return. “Motsi and Shirley are yet to make up their minds. Shirley in particular could be a flight risk for bosses, especially if her guest appearance on Dancing With The Stars goes well.” The Mirror has approached reps for Shirley and Motsi as well as Strictly for comment. But another insider told us: "This is likely based on the fact that Craig and Anton are both performing in theatre tours next autumn, with the websites for both productions advising that Anton and Craig won't appear at the Saturday dates of these shows - making it clear that they're expected to be in Elstree recording Strictly on Saturdays. Shirley and Motsi don't have theatre tours taking place." Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.