BBC Strictly judge risks favouritism row as she already shares top pick

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Shirley Ballas might just have given away her pick for the winner of the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.

The dance adjudicator made an appearance on The One Show to spill the tea on the new series of the long-running primetime ballroom and latin competition.

However the head judge put herself in a rather awkward position as she already admitted who she's (now not so) secretly routing for in the show.

READ MORE: Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice reunites with Rose Ayling-Ellis hours after coupling

Shirley, 63, has been the head judge on the popular BBC celebrity dancing programme since 2017, after she replaced the late Len Goodman after he retired.

When the new series launched over the weekend and the celebrity partnerships were revealed, she got to have a good look at the technique as the roster performed the first group number.

Now, she was welcomed onto the BBC One green sofa by Alex Jones and Jermaine Jenas to give her verdict on her first impressions.

However when asked by Alex if she spots any particular journey's, the star did not shy away from giving her special pick.

She explained: "I do have a needy little bitty soft spot for Angela Rippon.

"So I have a history there because she used to be the announcer on Come Dancing and the United Kingdom championships.

"And I admired her from a distance and she was talked so elegantly and she holds it, her poise was just absolutely immaculate when she walked down the stairs.

"So I believe she's almost 80 So I'm hoping that she really shows us all the things that she can do."

Alex Jones interjected as she imitated Shirley's iconic catchphrase 'Fab-U-Lous!", however the head judge affirmed her decision as she exclaimed back: "Fab-U-Lous already!," at the iconic host.

Meanwhile on the launch show, the judges got to actually take part in the routine rather than just doing a twirl when making their entrance.

And Shirley admitted live on air that she loved the chance to properly get back on the dancefloor.

"We were all excited backstage, but I think the judges were even more excited this year because we got to join in on the launch show and we haven't done that before," Shirley exclaimed.

"So it was absolutely the most spectacular day I've been on."

She added: "It's my seventh series. And I have to say that this was by far one of the most exciting events has ever taken place [on the show]."

Shirley Ballas
Strictly Come Dancing
The One Show
Alex Jones
BBC

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