Strictly Come Dancing's Shirley Ballas has finally decided whether she'll return for this series
Strictly fans were left scratching their heads over whether new head judge Shirley Ballas would return for a second series after she made some rather ambiguous comments late last year.
Shirley, who joined the judging panel last year after the exit of the beloved Len Goodman, apparently told MailOnline at a BBC Christmas party last year that she had "lost family" over the Strictly gig, and had to "figure out what's more important."
Sheesh.
GALLERY: Strictly Come Dancing affairs that gave us the shock of our LIVES
11 Strictly Come Dancing affairs that gave us the shock of our lives SLIDER with cover pic
1 of 11Strictly
2 of 111. Did Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole have a Strictly affair?
Strictly's Camilla Dallerup revealed she suffered a 'mini death' when her fiancé Brendan Cole reportedly left her in 2004 for his Strictly dance partner Natasha Kaplinsky. Natasha and Brendan never confirmed they were romantically involved. Natasha said: "There was chemistry, of course, and I certainly fell in love with dancing, but I did not fall in love with Brendan."The pair have since married other people, whilst Camilla married former Hollyoaks star Kevin Sacre in 2010.
3 of 112. Joe Calzaghe and Kristina Rihanoff: Strictly scandal turns fairy tale
After splitting with his girlfriend of five years, Jo-Emma Larvin, just one week into his stint on Stricly in 2009, boxer Joe Calzaghe and professional partner Kristina Rihanoff soon embarked on a romance - splitting in 2013 after four years together.
4 of 113. Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff Strictly scandal turned into true love
Following his 2013 stint on the show, rugby star Ben Cohen revealed he'd split from wife of 11-years Abby. He was then forced to deny he was romantically involved with former partner Kristina Rhianoff, after the pair were spotted linking arms on a London tube train.Ben and Kristina have since started a relationship and the pair welcomed their first child together in 2016.
5 of 114. Did Matt Di Angelo and Flavia Cacace date on Strictly Come Dancing?
Things must have been awkward backstage at Strictly in 2007 when Flavia Cacace reportedly dumped her long-term dance partner and boyfriend of eight-years, Vincent Simone, for Eastenders actor Matt Di Angelo.At the time the actor told the Daily Mail: "The funny thing was the story did not start off as true, but the more you read it, the more you started to believe it and actually act on it."However, Flavia split from Matt in 2010 and went on to wed actor Jimi Mistry (who she met whilst partnered together on Strictly in 2010) in December 2013.
6 of 115. Ali Bastian and Brian Fortuna: Strictly relationship
Former Hollyoaks actress Ali Bastian and her dance partner, Brian Fortuna, got together in 2009 after starring together on the show - but split a year later.
7 of 116. Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev: Strictly Come Dancing fairy tale ending
Rachel Riley shocked everyone when she revealed she was splitting from husband of just 15-months Jamie Gilbert during her time on Strictly in 2013. Less than a year later, the Countdown star announced she was dating her Strictly partner Pasha Kovalev - but insisted there was no overlap between the two romances.
8 of 117. Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev: Strictly Come Dancing relationship
Kara Tointon not only bagged the Strictly glitter ball in 2010 but also a hunky new boyfriend when she embarked on a romance with her Strictly partner Artem Chigvintsev.However, after three years of being together the pair split, and the former EastEnders actress told The Telegraph: "We are not together. We're fine, but we aren't a couple anymore."
9 of 118. Georgia May Foote and Sean Ward: Strictly Curse
When Georgia entered the competition in 2015 she was dating her Coronation Street co-star, Sean Ward. At the time she reassured everyone that she was in a happy relationship and she was just good friends with her dance partner Giovanni.However, shortly after the competition finished she ended her relationship with Sean and started a relationship with Giovanni.Unfortunately Georgia and Giovanni split before series 14 started. The former Coronation Street actress announced the news on Twitter, writing: "It is with great sadness we have decided to split up. There is nobody else involved."Although it was not an easy decision to make sometimes you realise that it is better to be friends and this is one of those times."We both have very busy work schedules for the rest of the year so we are both going to focus on our upcoming work projects and we wish each other well for the future."
10 of 119. Did Helen George split from Oliver Boot because of Strictly?
Helen George appeared on Strictly in 2015 and split from her husband Oliver Boot of three years. Were they hit by the Strictly curse?
11 of 1110. Did Susanna Reid and Dominic Cotton break up because of Strictly?
Susanna Reid featured on Strictly during series 11. After the show finished, Susanna and her partner Dominic Cotton split.The TV presenter denied the end of their relationship being related to the Strictly curse, she told the Daily Mirror: "I think people think Strictly was bound in what happened. It wasn't."Obviously things have been challenging in my personal life but we are getting things sorted."
And despite a very controversial first series which saw Shirley fall out with outspoken professional Brendan Cole - who has since been sacked - the Queen of Latin has now been CONFIRMED to return to the show.
According to The Sun, Shirley has been confirmed to the show along with Darcey Bussell, Craig Revel-Horwood and Bruno Tonioli.
A source told the publication: "Shirley and the BBC wanted to do another series so everyone’s chuffed they’ve come to an agreement. The whole panel is coming back.
"Viewers seemed to like the chemistry between them. It’s all verbally agreed. Formal contracts should be signed in the coming days."
Although it was never confirmed, Shirley's tension with Brendan is said to be the reason behind his axe from the show.
After their awkward and uncomfortable spats on-air, the New Zealand native revealed on Lorraine that he'd been told he wouldn't be returning to the show after being one of the original cast members.
WATCH: Shirley Ballas reflects on her first year as a Strictly judge
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