SHIRLY Ballas responded to rumours she wanted to quit Strictly Come Dancing today minutes before she learned her predecessor Len Goodman had died.
The head judge appeared on Good Morning Britain and insisted she would make a return despite hitting out at Strictly trolls last year.
Shirley, 62, told GMB hosts Susanna Reid and Ed Balls: “You have to make choices and decisions. It took me a minute after last year’s trolling.
“People would write things. But this year I have a man managing my social media as well as my son. I’m optimistic and hopeful. But this year it will be filtered before it gets to me.”
She also denied that she had been pushing for a pay rise at the BBC.
She said: “There was no arguing with the BBC about pay. We are in a cost of living crisis. It’s absolutely not true. There’s no pay rises, there’s no arguing.”
It was later announced on the breakfast show that Shirley’s predecessor Len had died aged 78.
He had been diagnosed with bone cancer and died on Saturday night.
Len became a judge on the BBC show in 2004 and his final appearance was on the 2016 Christmas Day special.
He announced his retirement from TV six months ago and would have celebrated his 79th birthday on Tuesday.
A statement from his agent said: “It is with great sadness to announce that Len Goodman has passed away peacefully, aged 78.
“A much-loved husband, father and grandfather who will be sorely missed by family, friends and all who knew him.”
At the time of writing Shirley had not reacted to the news, however Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood tweeted: “I’ve just woken up to the sad news that my gorgeous colleague and dear friend Len Goodman has passed away.
“My heart and love go out to his lovely Sue and family.
“Len Goody Goodman is what I always called him and ‘It’s a ten from Len & seveeeeern’ will live with me forever. RIP Len.”
Former BBC presenter Dan Walker, who competed on Strictly in 2021 and was friends with Len, said he was “so sad” to hear the news.
He added: “He was an incredible man & an extraordinary talent. Loved making telly with him, being daft with him, playing golf with him & will never forget the little tips he would send every week on Strictly. All my love to his family.”
Len began dancing at 19, winning various competitions including the British Championships in Blackpool in his late 20s, after which he retired.
He also served as head judge on Dancing With The Stars, the US version of the show, for more than 15 years until announcing his retirement in November last year.
He said at the time that he wanted to “spend more time with my grandchildren and family” back in the UK.
