Shirley Ballas stakes her claim for a permanent spot on the DWTS panel as viewers praise her 'scary' critique and 'brutal' scoring after she ruled out quitting Strictly

Published: 05:03 EDT, 28 October 2026 | Updated: 05:17 EDT, 28 October 2026 Shirley Ballas made her pitch to land a permanent spot on the Dancing With The Stars (DWTS) judging panel, as she earned praise for her 'brutal' scoring during her guest appearance on Tuesday.The Queen Of Latin, 66, has earned a reputation for her hard scoring on Strictly judging panel, so it was no surprise she didn't hold back when she appeared on the US version.American fans were stunned as Shirley opened her debut by giving actress Julia Stiles just four points for her Argentine Tango, leaving even her co-judge Bruno Tonioli shocked.The dancer has previously gushed it was her 'dream' to appear on DWTS, but has also insisted she's '100%' not leaving Strictly despite reports all four judges are planning to quit.Shirley was also tasked with judging her own son Mark, who is partnered with Maura Higgins, but there was no favouritism in sight as she scored the pair lower than the rest of the judging panel.Viewers were quick to praise Shirley for her 'brutal' judging methods, writing on X: 'SHIRLEY BALLAS GAVE A 4 TO JULIA AND EZRA;' Shirley Ballas made her pitch to land a permanent spot on the Dancing With The Stars judging panel, as she earned praise for her 'brutal' scoring during her guest appearance on Tuesday'Okay I already think Shirley Ballas should be a permanent judge;''Shirley Ballas giving a 4 on the first dance, oh mother did NOT come to play;''Shirley loudly disagreeing with them I'm cackling;''Ms Shirley is scaryyyyy she even got Derek actually critiquing;''BUT NGL... I DID LAUGH WHEN SHIRLEY PULLED THAT 4 OUT. LIKE PEOPLE THOUGHT SHE WAS GONNA LET STUFF SLIDE. YALL THOUGHT WRONG LMAOOO;''Obsessed with Shirley's ominous a*s entrance. I know these pros are scared;''Damn a four right off the bat. Shirley is so brutal, tonight will be interesting.' Halloween Night saw the DWTS ballroom hit by a double elimination, as Tyler Cameron and Jackson Olsen were both eliminated.The Queen Of Latin has earned a reputation for her hard scoring on Strictly judging panel, so it was no surprise she didn't hold back when she appeared on the US version American fans were stunned as Shirley opened her debut by giving Julia Stiles just four points for her Argentine Tango, leaving even her co-judge Bruno Tonioli shocked Shirley was also tasked with judging her own son Mark, who is partnered with Maura Higgins, but there was no favouritism in sight as she scored them lower than the rest of the judges Viewers were quick to praise Shirley for her 'brutal' judging methods, and backed calls for her to become a permanent judgeThis week Shirley has brushed off rumours that she could waltz away from Strictly Come Dancing, despite landing her dream stint on DWTS.Posing on the cover of Prima magazine for its December issue, she said: 'I have an opportunity this year, judging for the first time on Dancing With The Stars for Halloween.'So I'll do Strictly and then I'll fly over to the US and judge that, then come back again.'So it's double duty this year. That was a job I've always wanted. It's been on my wish list.'I feel that Dancing With The Stars will be a slightly different audience. I think I can probably be more strict.'It's going to be very interesting. But I'm 100 per cent not leaving Strictly!'Just like Shirley, her Strictly co-stars Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke's contracts also come to an end this year, with insiders previously warning that 'any of them could walk away'. In 2023, they angered BBC bosses by asking for an 11 per cent pay rise, and sources have recently said it is unlikely they will receive rises this time amid the corporation's budget cuts.Ms Ballas has not been without controversy since assuming her role on the judging panel, having faced allegations of favouritism, bullying and harshly scoring amateur contestants.Earlier this year, the Daily Mail revealed how she had a dressing-down from BBC executives for flouting the corporation's strict Editorial Guidelines by recreating elements of Strictly for an MSC Cruises voyage without permission, which she was paid for.