She said in a statement: “I am so excited and over the moon to have been given this wonderful opportunity. I can’t wait to get in to the ballroom and be part of the incredible and respected judging panel.
“’Strictly’ is so loved by the British public, I have always been a massive fan. I just can’t wait!”
Shirley is one of the top and most decorated professional dancers in the world. She is three-time British Open To The World Latin American champion, 10-time United States Latin American champion, and multiple-times British National champion. By the age of 21, Shirley had won nearly every major title she competed in worldwide.
She retired from competitive dancing in 1996, and now works as an acclaimed and respected international coach to many top professional and amateur dancers.
Her son, Mark Ballas, is also one of the professional dancers on the US version of ‘Strictly’, ‘Dancing With The Stars’.
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Shirley replaces Len Goodman on the panel, while Darcey, Craig and Bruno are also returning
Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment
Shirley’s fellow judges all said they were looking forward to the expertise she will bring to the show, which enters its 15th series this year.
Darcey said: “I look forward to meeting Shirley and welcoming her to our ‘Strictly’ team. Her years of experience in ballroom and Latin dancing are impressive and I’m sure she will be a great addition to our judging panel.”
Craig said: “Fantastic news that Shirley will be joining me and the other judges on the panel. I look forward to working with her on the next series of ‘Strictly’!”
Bruno added: “I know Shirley well - she is an incredible Latin dancer and trainer and I am sure she will be a great addition to the ‘Strictly’ team.”
Len Goodman announced he would be stepping down from the panel ahead of the last series, and made his last live appearance during December’s final, where he was given an emotional send off.
‘Strictly Come Dancing’ returns to BBC One in the autumn.
Shirley Ballas: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds
Shirley Ballas(01 of09)
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1. Shirley is originally from Wallasey, in the Wirral, and started dancing when she was just seven years old. (credit:Jason LaVeris via Getty Images)
Shirley Ballas(02 of09)
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2. Shirley moved to Houston, Texas, in 1983 and began to compete with new partner and husband, Corky. (credit:BBC)
Shirley Ballas(03 of09)
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3. Shirley and her husband and dance partner Corky won their first professional Latin title in 1984, and continued undefeated for a further eight years in a row, making them the most successful Latin American Champions in USA history. (credit:Jason LaVeris via Getty Images)
Shirley Ballas(04 of09)
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4. Shirley is mother to Mark Ballas, the musician, Broadway star, professional dancer and two-time winner on 'Dancing with the Stars' in the US. (credit:Jerod Harris via Getty Images)
Shirley Ballas(05 of09)
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5. Nicknamed the ‘Queen of Latin’, Shirley is one of the top and most decorated professional dancers in the world. (credit:Jerod Harris via Getty Images)
Shirley Ballas(06 of09)
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6. She is the only person to have ever won the ‘British Open to the World’ Latin American Championships in Blackpool with two different partners, and reached the finals an impressive 17 times (credit:David Krieger/Bauer-Griffin via Getty Images)
Shirley Ballas(07 of09)
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7. Shirley was the guardian to professional dancers Julianne and Derek Hough (seen here on the right) during their childhood in London, when they studied at the Itlalia Conti stage school. The two-time and six-time winners of 'Dancing with the Stars' respectively are still part of her family to this day. (credit:Jerod Harris via Getty Images)
Shirley Ballas(08 of09)
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8. She retired from competitive dancing in 1996. (credit:Allen Berezovsky via Getty Images)
Shirley Ballas(09 of09)
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9. Following her retirement, Shirley became an acclaimed and respected international coach to many of the world's top professional and amateur dancers. She's also a highly renowned and sought-after adjudicator for Ballroom and Latin American competitions, judging all around the world. (credit:Jerod Harris via Getty Images)