Shirley Ballas hopes to still be judging Strictly Come Dancing when she's 84

Shirley Ballas wants to still be judging 'Strictly Come Dancing' when she's 84.

The 64-year-old head judge on BBC's Latin and ballroom competition - who first joined in 2017 - has predicted the show will continue to go from strength to strength after celebrating 20 years on air this year, and she hopes to be around for the next two decades.

She said: "I think the next 20 years will be big, bright, bold, and beautiful, with the show only getting better and better.

"And I’m sure there’s lots of talent out there waiting to hit the dance floor.

"I’d love to think that in another 20 years, I’d still be judging!"

The dancer credited the show's longevity to its "loyal audience" who tune in to watch every single week.

She added: "Well, first of all, Strictly means everything to me, and I’m so proud to be part of the show, and I know it means a lot to the public.

"I think the success is rooted in the loyal audience. We wouldn't have a show if it wasn’t for the loyal audience tuning in each week, every Saturday and Sunday.

"I think it’s one of the only shows on television that can truly bring families together on a weekend.

"They sit there from four years old all the way up to Grandpa and Grandma. Everybody can have their opinion, disagree, and have that family fun. And I love that."

Shirley also picked out some of her favourite moments from the show's history, including the likes of Ann Widdecombe, Ed Balls and Rose Ayling-Ellis.

She recalled: "I've got a couple. I’ve got Ann and Anton [Du Beke] when she cleaned the floor - I shall forever remember her, I’ve never seen anything quite like it.

"To be honest, I’ll forever love Ed Balls as a human being and for his 'Gangnam Style'.

"And, of course, you can never forget Rose and [Giovanni Pernice’s] silent dance, which will be etched in my heart forever."

Watch 'Strictly Come Dancing: 20 Fabulous Years' on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 7pm on Saturday, December 21.