Strictly Come Dancing's Shirley Ballas admits 'fangirling' over contestants
Shirley Ballas already knows two of the Strictly Come Dancing stars who are sure to whip her into a frenzy once the show gets going.
The iconic BBC programme is reportedly set to launch on September 23 and with the weeks counting down, the Head Judge has guided us through her ones to watch. Shirley, who has already hit back over fix claims following criticism some of this year’s line-up have had dance training, pin-pointed the two she can't wait to see.
The 62-year-old believes there is a huge difference between being skilled as a professional dancer and having had a small amount of training and selected Strictly's eldest-ever celebrity as one of the hopefuls to wow the audience. She thinks Angela Rippon, 78, and newsreader Krishnan Guru-Murthy could steal the show even if she has no idea yet who is going to clinch the Glitterball.
Excited Shirley told the Mirror: "I've got to admit, I am fangirling a little bit over Krishnan (Guru-Murthy) and also Angela Rippon. Don't forget, she was Come Dancing's host all through my career. If her dancing is as elegant as her beautiful voice, then we are in for a real treat.
She can't wait to see Angela Rippon, pictured here with Mirror editor Alison Phillips (Daily Mirror/Andy Stenning)"I've watched Krishnan on the news every day for many years, he's absolutely fantastic. I actually can't wait to see him in action. We've got some wonderful people this year, I think you had better strap in for the journey because you just know it's going to be brilliant.
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"There's so many different people, a lot of variety. All I went to do was help the contestants improve their dancing because we wanted to give the general public the ride of their life. We're getting closer and closer and I'm sure everyone is looking forward to it as much as the judges are."
The Strictly line-up also includes the bookies’ favourite, EastEnders actor Bobby Brazier, as well as former Coronation Street star Ellie Leach, Paralympic champion Jody Cundy, presenter Angela Scanlon and former Love Island star Zara McDermott.
Krishnan, who said he was inspired by 2020 winner Bill Bailey, said he never saw himself saying yes to BBC bosses. But while his 16-year-old son is ‘appalled’ that he's starring on Strictly this year, the rest of his family are right behind him after grabbing the opportunity with both hands.
He said: "I’m surprised, delighted and slightly confused to find myself taking part in Strictly on the basis of ‘you only live once!’ and I can’t wait to start learning to dance, but I am slightly worried about my general decrepitude. I know I’m going to love it and have a brilliant time and just hope I’m not the only one enjoying my participation."
Angela, 78, will roll back the years and will overtake Johnny Ball as Strictly's most senior star after he took part in 2012 aged 74. She said: "Why didn't they ask me 10 years ago? Having been a fan of Strictly since day one, and as a former presenter of Come Dancing, this will be quite an adventure for me."
Shirley has been left heartbroken by the sudden death of a close friend who also worked with her as a costume designer. Taking to social media on Sunday night, the 62-year-old dancing judge shared her sadness over the news of designer Luca Sartori’s death at the age of 54. News of Luca’s death had been broken by his partner, designer Vesa Hietala, who explained that he had died suddenly over the weekend.
She wrote: “Very saddening news for our industry today. A very treasured loved one was lost. My dear friend Luca. “I have known Luca and Vesa for many years. We have been there for each other when things sometimes got tough in the industry. Luca always made me laugh. He had a unique way of making you feel special. A hug from him helped everything. Those strong Italian arms of reassurance for a woman were unforgettable.”
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