Strictly Come Dancing's Shirley Ballas announces new BBC role

Strictly Come Dancing's head judge, Shirley Ballas, has been revealed to have a new role with the BBC ahead of this weekend's finale. She will be reading a CBeebies Bedtime Story on Friday (December 13), featuring Aoife Greenham's Big Dance.

The story, which is about "story about the freedom to be yourself and the fun of joining in", follows Pippa as she wonders if she can find her own dance while watching her friends express themselves through their unique moves. As Pippa is gently encouraged, she discovers that dancing is all about taking that first step.

"I hope I can help children watching at home to find the special dance inside themselves," said Shirley. "I’m delighted to read a CBeebies Bedtime Story! When I was preparing for it, I practised by reading Big Dance over video call to my one year old grandson, Banksi, and it was fabulous to see his delighted reaction."

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Shirley isn't the only big name to read a CBeebies Bedtime Story recently, with Oscar-winner Olivia Colman and Happy Valley's James Norton also sharing tales in recent months.

In other news, the Strictly judge recently confessed that her love life has been a "disaster" following her recent split from partner Danny Taylor. "Currently, I've just split with my boyfriend. My relationships have been a disaster, all the way along the line," Shirley admitted on the Great Company podcast.

"But what I am truly grateful for is that I still have my mother, and that she lives with me, and I get th "These precious moments with her. Because my mother is the only thing that's been a staple in my life.

No friend, no marriage, no nothing. ".

Shirley Ballas’ CBeebies Bedtime Story will be broadcast on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer on Friday, December 13 at 6.50pm. Strictly Come Dancing is shown on Saturdays on BBC One, while its spin-off Strictly: It Takes Two is aired on weeknights on BBC Two.

Both shows can be streamed on BBC iPlayer.