Shirley Ballas to Appear on Dancing With The Stars
The veteran head judge will visit the United States on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, for a guest appearance.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Dance
Live Poll
Do you believe it is fair for judges to score family members in competitive dance shows?
Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas will appear as a guest judge on Dancing With The Stars this Tuesday, October 27, 2026. The appearance will see her evaluate a competition featuring her son, professional dancer Mark Ballas.
Why it matters
Ballas aims to spend more quality time with her son and grandchildren who reside in the United States. This visit follows her previous role judging the Dancing With The Stars spin-off series The Next Pro.
Shirley Ballas, 66, has served as the head judge on Strictly Come Dancing since 2017. Her professional son Mark Ballas, 40, and his wife BC Jean, 39, reside in the United States.
The players
Shirley Ballas
She is a seasoned ballroom dancer and head judge who has led the Strictly Come Dancing panel since 2017.
Mark Ballas
He is a professional dancer and son of Shirley Ballas who has built a notable career in competitive dance.
The details
During her guest appearance, Ballas is expected to utilize her signature shoes to demonstrate correct footwork for the contestants. She plans to participate in the upcoming Horror Movie Night episode.
Timeline
Shirley Ballas began her tenure as head judge on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017.
Ballas shared career regrets regarding her son in February 2026.
Ballas will appear on Dancing With The Stars on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
Strictly Come Dancing judge contracts are slated for renegotiation in December 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This guest appearance bridges the production gap between UK-based ballroom formats and the American franchise landscape. It marks a continued effort by veteran judges to expand their presence across international dance television markets.
Viewers can watch the guest judge's performance during the upcoming Horror Movie Night episode scheduled for broadcast. This appearance allows fans of the international format to see a familiar judge evaluate a different set of professional performers.
The takeaway
The visit highlights the close-knit nature of international dance professionals who frequently collaborate across different television networks. Fans can anticipate that the judge will maintain her rigorous standard for footwork and technical precision during the guest appearance.
What happens next
The contracts for the Strictly Come Dancing judges are set to be reviewed and renegotiated in December 2026.
Further reading
For more on the current landscape of ballroom television, visit the Dance section.
Live Poll
Do you believe it is fair for judges to score family members in competitive dance shows?
