‘I don’t want to send anyone home!’ Strictly’s Shirley Ballas admits ANY star could win this series as they’re ‘all good at something’
Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has admitted even she can’t predict who could win this series, as it remains one of the show’s most unpredictable yet.
The head judge, 60, confessed she ‘didn’t want to send anyone home’ during Sunday’s results show as she praised this year’s celebrities for having their own individual talents.
It comes following reports that this year’s Strictly final could see five couples go head-to-head for the Glitterball trophy, as bosses opted against having double vote-offs during the shortened run.
Who will win? Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has admitted even she can’t predict who could win this series, as it remains one of the show’s most unpredictable yet
Shirley told The Mirror she thinks any of this year’s remaining 11 couples could win the Glitterball trophy.
She said: ‘If we take the whole group collectively, everyone is good at something. It could be their personality, their acting skills, it could be their grace and charm.’
Shirley had particular praise for actress Caroline Quentin, 60, and her beautiful elegance, and has been impressed by comedian Bill Bailey, who has become a huge fan favourite.
Who will win? The head judge confessed she ‘didn’t want to send anyone home’ during Sunday’s results show, and said she’d been hugely impressed by Bill Bailey (pictured)
Elegant: Shirley was also full of praise for Caroline Quentin, who has impressed with her beautiful performances
She added: ‘Caroline’s timing and her arms. It was subtle and so beautiful… and Bill Bailey, who’d have expected that? They are all capable of winning.
‘It’s not only dancing, it’s the journey and warming to the audience. I really didn’t want to send anyone home.’
It comes amid claims that this year’s Strictly final will see five couples battling it out for the Glitterball trophy for the first time in the show’s history.
Wowing: Shirley said she thinks any of this year’s remaining 11 couples could win the Glitterball trophy, amid claims this year’s final will feature five pairs (the judging panel is pictured)
According to reports BBC bosses decided against whittling down the lineup through double vote-offs despite shortening the show’s run to just nine weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A source told The Mirror: ‘They are sure it will capture imaginations. It will make things much more open – with the potential for big shocks.’
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Strictly Come Dancing for comment.
This year’s Strictly remains wide open, with no clear frontrunner despite actress Maisie Smith and social media star HRVY remaining odds-on favourites.
It comes just a day after BBC bosses confirmed plans for a live audience at their shows in November would be axed as England is plunged into lockdown.
The new rules, which come into effect on Thursday until Wednesday 2 December, orders the nation to stay at home except for ‘specific purposes’.
All home visits – including in gardens – are banned unless you are part of a support bubble.
Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturday at 7:25pm on BBC One.
Competitive: She said: ‘If we take the whole group collectively, everyone is good at something. It could be their personality, their acting skills, it could be their grace and charm’