Strictly's Shirley Ballas poses on the toilet in her Lady Gaga costume as she shares behind the scenes photos from Icons week amid BBC bosses' fears the head judge will quit the show

1 hour ago 14

By CHARLOTTE DEAN, ASSOCIATE SHOWBIZ EDITOR

Published: 13:49 BST, 19 October 2026 | Updated: 13:51 BST, 19 October 2026

Shirley Ballas has shared a behind the scenes look at Saturday night's Icons episode where the contestants performed to songs by the biggest artists in history.

The head judge, 66, was dressed as Lady Gaga for the show, wearing a glitzy nude dress with a white apron and towering white platform heels.

Shirley was wearing a bright yellow wig and a signature Gaga headpiece atop her locks, with a telephone attached in homage to the singer's famous track.

In one snap, the former professional dancer perched on a toilet, and captioned the photo: 'Swipe for lady gaga sitting on a loo…'

Elsewhere, Shirley leaned against a black motorcycle, which looked similar to one Gaga used in her Born This Way video.

Shirley also shared a photo as she had her make-up touched up backstage. 

Shirley Ballas has shared a behind the scenes look at Saturday night's Icons episode where the contestants performed to songs by the biggest artists in history

The head judge, 66, was dressed as Lady Gaga for the show, wearing a glitzy nude dress with a white apron and towering white platform heels

Bosses are said to be fearful that Shirley will follow former hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly out of the door when her contract ends next year.

It has been claimed that BBC bosses are terrified that the departure of the show's old presenters will lead to the judges going too.

Their contracts finish at the end of this season – meaning it will be time for head judge Shirley, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke to renegotiate with the corporation.

Insiders suggest Shirley may not return for what would be her 11th series, with speculation rife that she may relocate to the US to spend more time with her son Mark, a professional dancer on America's Dancing With The Stars, and his two children.

One source said: 'The one thing that the BBC knew would keep some continuity this year was that the judges would all be back. 

'They are under contract so that was a guarantee for the bosses and was definitely one less headache for them. But anything could happen. Any of them could walk away now and they will be free agents.

'The most likely is Shirley. She has done a decade now and she has grandchildren that she wants to see more of.

'The terms of their contracts will have to be renegotiated, and if the judges don't like what the BBC is offering maybe they won't return.

Shirley was wearing a bright yellow wig and a signature Gaga headpiece atop her locks, with a telephone attached in homage to the singer's famous track

Elsewhere, Shirley leaned against a black motorcycle and shared a photo as she had her make-up touched up backstage

'It will all be very up in the air in December once this run is over.'

In 2023, the judges enraged BBC bosses when they demanded an 11 per cent pay rise on their salaries, which are thought to be between £200,000 and £300,000 for the three-and-a-half-month stint.

Chiefs were furious at the demands and refused. Instead, the judges took a raise of between 3 and 5 per cent. 

A show source said: 'If they want more money again, it's unlikely that will happen. 

'The BBC can't justify these salaries and now the viewing figures have tanked there's even less of a chance they will get more next time.' 

Ratings have dropped by around 1.5 million for this year's series, which features new presenting team Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe.

While Emma is regarded as a 'top pro', Josh has been criticised for being 'wooden' while Johannes has struggled to get his timings right.

On Saturday night's 'Icons week' show, Dani Dyer was praised by the judges for her 'beautiful' rumba, which she danced to Mariah Carey's Hero.

The former Love Island winner, 30, earned 25 points for the routine, with Shirley commending her timing and movement.

Read Entire Article