Strictly Come Dancing 2021: Shirley Ballas shuts down Carrie Symonds rumours: ‘It’s not a political agenda’

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video

Strictly Come Dancing star Shirley Ballas has shut down rumours that Carrie Symonds will appear on the show.

It was recently reported that Boris Johnson’s fiancee was being eyed for the series, but the head judge insisted that’s not the case.

Quizzed by Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby on This Morning, Shirley wouldn’t give away exactly who’s set to appear, but happily spoke on the rumours about the rumours.

Amping up the intrigue, she got up on her feet to give us a little dance, saying: ‘With a boom boom boom, and a shimmy…no!’

‘So she’s definitely not?’ Holly asked.

‘99.9999%, it is a family show, it’s not a political agenda,’ Shirley added.

Well, that’s that!

Elsewhere, it’s been rumoured that Line of Duty stars including Vicky McClure (Kate Fleming) and Gregory Piper (Ryan Pilkington) are top of the list for potential bookings.

Meanwhile, Munroe Bergdorf has opened up about wanting to be the first ever transgender star on the BBC series.

Shirley was tight-lipped on any celebs that are set to appear on the show, only saying: ‘They’re already starting to get the celebrities together.’

However, she added that she’s got high hopes that her fellow judge Bruno Tonioli will be back, after he had to miss out on last year’s series when he was unable to fly back to the UK from the US amid the coronavirus pandemic.

‘I think you will be mesmerised, surprised and really, really intrigued,’ she said of the upcoming series.

We can’t wait!

It’s also been reported that Strictly bosses are keen to feature two same-sex couples on this year’s series, after Nicola Adams and Katya Jones made history on the 2020 series before having to leave early due to contracting coronavirus.

‘Bosses are still looking at all the options but given the positive feedback from last year, they’re seriously considering having two same-sex couples, one male and one female,’ an insider said.

They added to The Sun: ‘The show has to move forward and viewers loved last year’s series.’

Strictly Come Dancing is said to be returning with a live audience and will also be back for 13 weeks.

Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One later this year. This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Line Of Duty’s Vicky McClure ‘high on a list of targets’ for Strictly Come Dancing 2021

MORE : Oti Mabuse praises her Strictly Come Dancing ‘family’ after shutting down exit rumours