Tess Daly thinks Shirley Ballas will be an "amazing" ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ judge.
The 48-year-old presenter believes the show’s new head panellist was the right choice to replace departed Len Goodman because she has a lot of "experience" and will be able to help Darcey Bussell keep Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli "in line".
Tess – who presents ‘Strictly’ with Claudia Winkleman – said: "They absolutely had to go for experience – after all, she’s replacing Len, who was the voice of wisdom and the most experienced.
"So you go for the person who brings that experience with them.
"I think she’ll be amazing – firm, fair, a little bit fierce and quite fabulous. That’s my prediction.
"She’ll help Darcey keep her naughty boys in line. Bruno, you know who I mean."
Tess can’t wait to find out which celebrities will be taking part in the contest this year and admitted she is always encouraging people who express an interest in the show to put themselves forward.
She told HELLO! magazine: "We’re trying to get names out of [producers] because they have a few in mind. There’s always a wish list and they will start confirming them one by one.
"So many celebrities have said to me they would love to do it. And I always say, ‘Well, come on then – chances are you’ll love it more than you’d ever imagine."
While Tess is incredibly busy for the six months she works on the show, she is grateful to have a lot of flexibility to be there for her daughters Phoebe, 12, and Amber, eight, who she has with husband Vernon Kay.
She said: "I’m not just sitting at home twiddling my thumbs for the rest of the year. But it’s nice to have a bit of time to do ordinary things like the school run, baking with the kids after school, helping with their homework. I live for that stuff, it’s my number one role as a mum."
Tess Daly praises ‘amazing’ Shirley Ballas
