Shirley Ballas, 59, responded to claims Darcey Bussell, 50, decided to leave her role on the Strictly Come Dancing due to an update producers wanted to add to the show this year. According to The Sun, the programme’s new executive team wanted the judges to show off their dancing skills at certain points during the series. However, insiders reportedly said former ballerina Darcey refused to do so, because she believed the dancing should be left to the celebrities. In spite of the suggestion, head judge Shirley admitted she was unsure about what Darcey’s stance was when the change was introduced.
During an interview with the publication, the ballroom and Latin dance expert said: “I do know that the BBC wanted the professionals to do a little bit more dancing.
“So I don’t know whether it was uncomfortable, or did she want to do it, or didn’t she want to do it?”
Fortunately, Shirley insisted she was happy to put her dancing talent on display.
She continued: “I was all up for it because I think, ‘you’re older but you’re not dead and you can still do a bit’.
“You can’t do what those professionals do by any means, but you can get out there and show the public that you can still move your left and right foot.”
The star, who announced she would be leaving the panel after seven years back in April, shared a congratulatory message with the Strictly team following the first live show.
In view of her 166,000 followers, Darcey posted a happy photo of herself outside the Royal Academy of Dance.
The ex-judge was pictured beaming for the camera with her thumbs up outside the studios.
She wore a sporty ensemble for the snap in form-fitting leggings paired with shorts alongside a boldly printed T-shirt and trainers.
Darcey wished the “best of luck” to the show in the caption and predicted “it’s going to be fantastic”.
She wrote: “Big congratulations to @bbcstrictly on a FAB-U-LOUS first show – it’s going to be a fantastic series.
“Best of luck to all the team, thinking of you all. Dx #keepdancing.”(sic)
Darcey shared a statement about her departure from the BBC dance competition earlier this year.
She explained on social media: “It has been a complete privilege for me to be part of Strictly for the past seven years, working with such a talented team.
The TV personality then clarified she was not leaving the programme as a result of any “disagreement”.
She continued: “I am not leaving because of any upset or disagreement at all, I am just stepping away to give more focus on my many other commitments in dance, after seven truly wonderful years that I can’t imagine having gone any better.”
