New Strictly judge announced!

I am so excited and over the moon to announce that I will be joining the judging panel

Since Len Goodman announced his departure as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing last year, we've been on tenterhooks to find out who will be appointed as his replacement.

Speculation was rife with Arlene Phillips, Brendan Cole and Anton Du Beke all thought to be in the running. But the wait is over as the BBC announced today the Shirley Ballas, the British-born Ballroom and Latin dancer and international coach, has been confirmed as the new judge on Strictly Come Dancing.

Shirley Ballas is nicknamed the ‘Queen of Latin’ and three-time ‘British Open to the World’ Latin American Champion, 10-time United States Latin American Champion, and multiple-times British National Champion.

Shirley is mother to Mark Ballas, the musician, Broadway star, professional dancer and two-time winner on Dancing with the Stars in the US - who she is pictured with above.

She certainly has the dance credentials required, now we're excited to see her in action!