Shirley Ballas wants her son to join the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ judging panel.
The 58-year-old head judge is devastated to see her co-star Darcey Bussell leave the show but thinks her son Mark – who is a professional on the US’ version ‘Dancing With the Stars’ – would make a fantastic addition to the show this year.
She said: "My son would love it and I would love a mother and son dynamic on the panel!"
The new series will see the departure of Darcey – who has appeared as a judge on the programme since 2012 – but the panel isn’t the only thing to see a shake up.
Speaking to The Sun, Shirley explained: "The format will more or less never change but I know for sure that they’re making amazing tweaks. I know our new executive producer has some brilliant ideas and I think you’ll be really enthralled. I think they go up a notch every year and I think this year you’ll be quite surprised.
"They put everything they’ve got, the BBC, behind the show to make it entertaining for everyone on a Saturday evening. Even on [the sister show] ‘It Takes Two’ they’ve teamed up Zoe [Ball] with Rylan [Clark-Neal] so there have already been tweaks here and there.
"They’ve got amazing ideas, it’s going to be a big event and I think everyone will enjoy it. I embrace change, I think change is always good."
And, although Shirley would love to see her son join the panel, she adamant she’ll back the producers regardless of who they choose to sit beside her, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel-Horwood because she knows they’ll choose someone with "qualifications."
She said: "The BBC will make sure the person with the qualifications, who can be there to entertain the public every Saturday evening. Everyone brings something special and unique and I wouldn’t want to single anyone out. I know whoever they pick will be great."
Shirley Ballas wants son to join Strictly Come Dancing judging panel
