The 48-year-old presenter admitted she hadn’t met Strictly’s latest recruit yet, but said she was pleased there was another woman joining the panel following the departure of Len Goodman after last year’s series.
“I think Bruno has already met her through her work because she works on Dancing With The Stars - which is Strictly in America - which Bruno is also a judge on twice a year, they have two series a year over there. And Shirley has worked over there so she’s well known to the American audience.”
“She’s a Wirral lass, from the Wirral, so she’s coming home to be on our panel – and I can’t wait to see another lady.
Tess added that she thinks Shirley is the ideal head judge because she’ll keep the rest of the panel - made up of Darcey Bussell, Craig Revel-Horwood and Bruno Tonioli - in check.
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Shirley Ballas will join the 'Strictly' judging panel when the show returns later this year.
Jason LaVeris via Getty Images
“[She has] so much experience, her credentials are unshakeable - she’s phenomenal isn’t she?” Tess said. “I can’t wait to see. I think she’s going to keep those two boys in order, especially that naughty one on the end… Bruno… no names. He needs keeping under control, he’s up out of his chair, he gets very excitable, but I love him for that.”
Tess also revealed that she’d love to take to the dancefloor and compete on the BBC show, but can’t because of her presenting commitments.
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Rex
She said: “I couldn’t really because I couldn’t be in two places at once. But I do watch the celebrities, particularly those who haven’t danced before and you see them learn a whole new skill and how they blossom and love every moment of it.
“There is a part of me that thinks I would love to be able to do that… come on Anton give me a twirl, give me a dip, lift me up. It looks like they have a blast you know, so I would rather enjoy it. But I do feel for them as they get so nervous on a Saturday night.”
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)