Strictly legend in advanced talks for Celebrity Big Brother as bosses blow the budget to sign up controversial star
SHIRLEY Ballas is in advanced talks for Celebrity Big Brother.
The Strictly Come Dancing star will swap the BBC for ITV in the big-budget deal with TV bosses trying to persuade her to take part.
Shirley, 63, has been head judge on the dancing show since 2017 and would be Celebrity Big Brother’s first major signing.
A source said: “Shirley is deep in discussions about swapping her judges seat for the Big Brother diary room chair.
“She is a big fan of the show and said she wanted to take part to show the public a different side to her than the woman people are used to seeing on Strictly.
“The only thing holding Shirley back is the BBC’s position on her taking the job as she wants to keep everyone happy.
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“ITV think Shirley would be a sensational signing and they’re keen to get her on board.
“She is confident, outspoken and would make brilliant television.”
The Sun revealed Celebrity Big Brother would be coming back earlier this year.
It was commissioned by TV bosses to air on ITV1 in March following the huge success of Big Brother’s relaunch on the channel.
Other names linked to the gig so far include controversial WAG Rebekah Vardy.
Hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best are back to host the new series, which would be the first since Celebrity Big Brother came off air on Channel 5 in 2018.
We revealed in October how ITV had handed producers millions to secure a bumper line up.
Stars on the wish list for the new series included Phillip Schofield and American businesswoman Jennifer Acuri – who alleged she’d had an affair with ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
A show insider said at the time: “The more controversial the line-up the better. They want it to really come back with a bang.”
Celebrity Big Brother previously aired on Channel 4 and Channel 5 until it was axed in 2018.
Former Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas won the final series, which was mired in controversy after a nasty row between him and Emmerdale star Roxanne Pallett.
