Strictly Come Dancing's head judge Shirley Ballas opened up about her latest role on Wednesday10:35, 10 Jun 2026Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas teased her new role live on Good Morning Britain.‌The 65-year-old professional dancer appeared on the ITV programme on Wednesday (June 10), where she spoke to hosts Susanna Reid and Ed Balls about her exciting new role.‌Shirley has recently returned from overseas after joining a new spin-off series, titled Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro, hosted by reigning champion Robert Irwin.‌The series will feature 12 up-and-coming dancers, who move into a house together and compete through the audition process in the hopes of getting a spot as a professional dancer on the upcoming season of Dancing with the Stars.Shirley serves as a judge alongside her famous son, Mark, who has been a pro dancer on the American version of Strictly since 2007.Content cannot be displayed without consent‌Sharing her excitement for the new series on GMB, Shirley said: "I've just spent eight weeks in Brisbane, Australia with Mark [for] Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro."It was the most fascinating show I've ever done in my life. Conrad Green was the executive producer on it. The 12 professionals that have come from all over the world have got the most serious challenges to do in a short space of time."It's gonna show the public how we find a professional and exactly what goes into the making of a top professional. We've got all sorts of tests they have to do, from choreography to teaching. They've also got to have the skill to be able to mentor.‌"Also, sometimes you even have to be a counsellor, don't you? You have to be everything on that show, and being with [Mark] was extraordinary."On working with her son, Shirley said: "We had natural chemistry. He comes from being on Dancing with the Stars [for] 20 years. I come from being a professional, him from a competitor.‌"And I have to say that he was absolutely extraordinary. I actually learned a lot watching him. He's very empathetic. But remember that these people are professionals, not celebrities, so I'm really quite tough on them."The judge then noted: "If people tune into this show and it's a success, I believe that it will go all round the world."Shirley also teased the 2026 line-up of Strictly, following the news that Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe had been confirmed as the new hosts.Article continues below"It's quite extraordinary!" she said, as Susanna and Ed looked on in shock."There's going to be some people on there where you're gonna go, 'Wow!' I can't tell you the names obviously, but you know that the BBC always pick the incredible chemistry between all the celebrities. For me, actually, off the record, it's quite extraordinary!"Strictly Come Dancing is available to stream on BBC iPlayer, while Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV1 and ITVX at 6am