Former Strictly Come Dancing judge Darcey Bussell, 50, left the show after seven years to focus on other work commitments. Addressing her departure, the professional ballerina said it will “feel very odd” not being on the panel, but is adamant she will be back to visit. When asked if she’d feel strange hearing the Strictly theme tune this year, she said: “Yes, I’ll feel very odd. It’s such a wonderful show and such a great team and I will miss all of them dreadfully, though I’ll be visiting without fail.
“I’ve got a lot of friends there,” she added.
Despite having other work commitments, Darcey went on to say she will be tuning in to watch the show.
On how she will be spending her Saturday nights away from the panel, she added to the Metro: “I coach dancers at the Royal Ballet so I’ll be watching their shows but otherwise I’ll probably be with my family watching Strictly!”
Darcey announced her departure from the show on Twitter back in April.
In view of her 173,000 followers, she wrote: “It has been a complete privilege for me to be part of Strictly, working with such a talented team.
“I have enjoyed every minute of my time and will miss everyone from my fellow judges, the presenters, the dancers, the musicians, the entire back stage team, and especially the viewers of the show, who have been so supportive.”
Darcey clarified her decision wasn’t made due to any “upset or disagreement”, adding: “I am just stepping away to give more focus to my many other commitments in dance, after seven truly wonderful years that I can’t imagine having gone any better.”
Darcey first took a seat on the panel as a guest judge in 2009 alongside Len Goodman, 75, Alesha Dixon, 40, Bruno Tonioli, 63, and Craig Revel Horwood, 54.
From 2017, she co-judged alongside Bruno, Craig and Len’s replacement head judge Shirley Ballas, 58.
It is currently unknown who will replace Darcey on the panel, however Craig recently said he’s been told it is “someone that can actually dance”.
Speaking on This Morning, he said: “They did say it’s someone that can actually dance, it’s got to be someone opinionated… but they won’t tell me, apparently I can’t be trusted!”
Professional Strictly dancer Anton Du Beke, 52, has been a solid favourite to replace Darcey, with the star admitting he would love to takeover.
He told The Mirror: “I did a screen test last time when Len left and they know that I want to do it this year.
“I don’t know if it will be me but if they asked me I would love to,” he added.
“People say they are real fans of mine but we will have to wait and see if they ask me first.”
Strictly Come Dancing returns later this year on BBC One.