Shirley Ballas wants five judges on 'Strictly' to solve Anton Du Beke issue

Shirley Ballas has called for the Strictly Come Dancing panel to have five judges, which would accommodate both Bruno Tonioli and Anton Du Beke.

The dancer usually sits on the panel of the BBC ballroom contest alongside Tonioli, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood.

But for the last series show dancer Du Beke filled in for Tonioli, who was unable to juggle his roles on both Strictly and US version Dancing With The Stars amid the COVID travel rules.

Read more: Anton Du Beke says Strictly professionals love that he's now a judge

Du Beke – who was one of the pro dancers on the show for years – had been after a judging slot for a while and brought his A game last season.

He was a huge hit with viewers, and many have since called for him to be given a permanent seat on the panel.

Ballas has now said she thinks the series could accommodate a fifth judge.

According to the Mirror, she shared her thoughts at the RTS Awards, saying: “I hope Anton stays, but we could have five seats.”

She went on: “I just did the tour with Bruno and he was on point and on form.

“There is nobody like Bruno. He is a force to be reckoned with.”

Revel Horwood has also recently said that he would like Du Beke to be promoted to full-time panellist.

"I am so pleased now that he is a judge, finally," he told The Sun.

"There are only so many years you can be front-row dancing, then the second row, then the third and fourth. Then the only place left, darling, is a dancer’s sheer death - in the wings," he said.

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“I hope he comes back next year," he went on. "I loved it, absolutely.”

Watch: Motsi Mabuse confirms Ukrainian in-laws are now living with her