Shirley Ballas has been announced as the new Strictly Come Dancing judge.
BBC bosses confirmed on the show's official Twitter account that the ballroom queen will be replacing the legendary Len Goodman following his retirement last year.
A spokesperson said: "We are delighted to announce that Shirley Ballas, the 'Queen of Latin', is the new judge on @bbcstrictly."
"I am so excited and over the moon to have been given this wonderful opportunity," Shirley Ballas said.
"I can't wait to get in to the ballroom and be part of the incredible and respected judging panel. Strictly is so loved by the British public, I have always been a massive fan. I just can't wait!"
Ballas had been joint favourite alongside Gary Edwards to take the job in the weeks leading up to the decision.
It's believed that the producers of the massively successful were keen to get another woman on the panel to work with Craig Revel Horwood, Bruno Tonioli and Darcey Bussell.
56-year-old Ballas was born and raised just outside of Liverpool in Wallasey, and started dancing when she was a little girl. By the age of 21, she had won nearly every worldwide major title in which she competed.
Since retiring from competitive dancing in 1996, she has become an acclaimed coach to top professional and amateur dancers around the globe, and is also a highly sought-after judge for Ballroom and Latin American competitions.
In 2009, Ballas appeared as a celebrity guest on Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two alongside Zoe Ball. She has also previously been on the US version of Strictly, Dancing with the Stars, where Len Goodman still judges.
Her son Mark Ballas, a dancer, singer-songwriter, actor and Broadway star, has won the US series twice. She was also guardian to Julianne and Derek Hough during their childhood in London. The pair now dance on US TV's Dancing with the Stars.
