Shirley Ballas thinks this year’s Strictly Come Dancing winner will be a complete surprise because of how much the dancers vary with their performances.
The show’s judge is usually “really good” at guessing who will take the glitterball trophy from the start of the contest but this year, she thinks the standout couple has changed every week and she has no idea which way the audience will vote.
She admits: “Normally I am really good at picking the person from week one but this cast has been so diverse and each week it’s changing.”
High scorers throughout this series have included former Pussy Cat Doll Ashley Roberts and her pro partner Pasha Kovalev.
Presenter Stacey Dooley and dancer Kevin Clifton have also impressed.
Shirley, 58, is enjoying her role on Strictly so much, she’s considering permanently relocating to the UK from America and is busy renovating her south London house so she has a comfortable base.
She told the new issue of HELLO! magazine: “I am in the middle of a seven-month renovation of my Dulwich house.
“I will have that as my base here now and am looking forward to that. I would love to settle over here; I think I will always keep my home in America as it’s close to my son, Mark Ballas.”
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Though there has been much of a talk about a Strictly ‘curse’, Shirley doesn’t think the way relationships end and new ones start among the contestants should be viewed as a bad thing.
She revealed: “If they are single there is no problem, is there? And I don’t think it’s a curse because some people really do find love.”
Former Strictly stars like Kristina Rihanoff and Ben Cohen have found love after being dance partners.
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There is certainly a lot of talent to choose from on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing!
Who would you like to see lift the Glitterball trophy? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think.