Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has said she has no update on who will be replacing Darcey Bussell on the panel this year, because producers still haven’t cast anyone yet.

Speaking to PA about who’ll be joining her on the panel, Shirley joked she’s “just as interested as you are” about the new addition to the line-up.

“The BBC always get it right so as long as the person suits and fits in with the panel and they are fair and they judge without fear or favour and they are positive and kind, I think whoever they choose I’m very happy with, man or woman, I don’t mind,” she explained.

“With Darcey she is such a beautiful human being,” she added. “I think they are also big shoes to fill – she has been on that show for seven years.

“So I think it’s going to take somebody with a sense of humour, somebody that’s light-hearted, that has some dance experience that can bring maybe a little twist from what I do or Bruno or Craig.”

Darcey revealed she was leaving Strictly last month, insisting at the time she was departing on good terms.

She said: “I am not leaving because of any upset or disagreement at all, 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.

“I know I will miss being part of this unique show and the fact that it celebrates dance is something I am so passionate about. I hope that I may be very lucky to be asked back again one day.”

Strictly is set to return for its 17th series in the autumn, where the new arrival will be sitting alongside Shirley and the show’s two longest-serving judges, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli.