Strictly Come Dancing‘s head judge Shirley Ballas has promised a “surprising” line-up for this year’s series of the popular BBC One programme.
Shirley, 63, will be joined by fellow judges Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood when the show returns later this year.
Many professional dancers will be back on screen, but former winner Giovanni Pernice has been “axed” from the programme.
Ahead of the official line-up being announced to Strictly fans, Shirley told Express.co.uk at the TRIC Awards viewers will be in for a surprise before revealing her dream contestant.
She shared with enthusiasm: “I am ready for sure. It’s all exciting. We know we have the professionals in place and the celebrities are almost there.
“So I believe it is going to be the most fantastic line-up ever. Now you are going to be surprised by some of the people they have managed to get on the show.”
The rumoured 2024 line-up includes actress Hannah Waddingham, presenter Clive Myrie and Lioness Jill Scott.
When asked who she would love to see take part in the show, Shirley said the Princess Royal.
Princess Anne sustained a minor head injury as well as a concussion which was reportedly caused by a horse.
According to BBC reports, the royal was admitted to hospital on Sunday following an accident on her estate in Gloucestershire.
Shirley said: “She’s a hard-working member of the Royal Family. She’s just so elegant.
“I would love to think a member of the Royal Family would like to join us.”
Teasing this year’s line-up Shirley said the celebrities will be announced, “I believe July,” on a recent edition of Katie Piper’s Breakfast Show.
She added: “I think it’s coming up rather soon. It’s going to be absolutely off the chart.”
“Just when you reckon the show can’t level up, it does. We have a brilliant professional ensemble, and naturally, Tess and Claudia are returning” she added.
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