Strictly Come Dancing's head judge Shirley Ballas WILL return to the show next year... as she insists it has been 'life-changing' ahead of live final

By Katie Storey and Julia Pritchard For Mailonline

Published: 09:02 GMT, 15 December 2017 | Updated: 15:48 GMT, 15 December 2017

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She stepped in this series to replace former head judge Len Goodman.

And reports have now claimed Shirley Ballas WILL be asked to return to Strictly Come Dancing next year.

Her future on the show had been under much speculation, but The Sun reports that BBC bosses will offer the dancer a new contract in the next few weeks.

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Comeback: Following mounting speculation over her future on the show, Shirley Ballas WILL be asked to return to Strictly Come Dancing next year, according to reports

Strictly is yet to announce whether Shirley will be a permanent fixture on the show and it had been reported the star was 'undecided' about whether to return.

Despite initially impressing fans, Shirley had found herself criticised for her 'harsh' marking of this year's contestants, which caused outrage when Aston Merrygold was voted out of the competition much earlier than anticipated, but she has always remained firm in her judgement and unfazed by the upset.

Not letting the backlash get to her, the beauty has told The Sun that she is eager to resume her judging duties on Strictly, amid claims the BBC are keen to ask her back.

Returning: The Sun reports that BBC bosses will offer the dancer a new contract in the next few weeks

'It would be an honour': Shirley shared her eager at returning to the Strictly panel and said of her experience of the show: 'It's been life-changing. It's beyond what I ever dreamed and expected'

She said: 'It would be an honour if one was asked to be asked back for such a magnificent show.'

She touched on the speculation that has surrounded her throughout this series and insisted there was no fallout between herself and fellow judge Darcey Bussell, while admitting there is still tension between herself and Brendan Cole.

Brendan had criticised Shirley for 'under-marking' himself and his celebrity partner Charlotte Hawkins on the show, with their feud intensifying from then onwards.

Missing out: She won't, however, feature on the Strictly live tour next year as it only caters for three judges and Craig Revel Horwood, Bruno Tonioli and Darcey Bussell have all signed up

Feud: Shirley confessed that there is still tension between herself and Brendan Cole, following their fallout after he accused her of 'under-marking' himself and Charlotte Hawkins

Fallout: Brendan had criticised Shirley for 'under-marking' himself and his celebrity partner Charlotte Hawkins on the show, with their feud intensifying from then onwards

Setting the record straight: She touched on the speculation that has surrounded her throughout this series and insisted there was no fallout between herself and fellow judge Darcey Bussell

Shirley claimed that the professional dancer, who she used to teach, had 'hurt' her feelings, although she insisted she would accept his apology if he came to her - insisting that she wouldn't be 'running after him', however.

Speaking of her Strictly experience as a whole, Shirley, who won't be a part of the tour next year as it only caters for three judges, added: 'It's been life-changing. It's beyond what I ever dreamed and expected,' before joking: 'Thank god the ratings didn't go down.'

Instead, this year's series of Strictly has received the highest ever viewing figures in its fourteen-year history.

The beloved ballroom show has attracted an average of 11 million viewers every weekend since it kicked off in September - just beating last year's all-time high of 10.9 million.

Success: The 2017 series Strictly Come Dancing has received the highest ever viewing figures in its history (finalists Debbie McGee and Giovanni Pernice pictured)

Impressive: The ballroom show has attracted an average of 11 million viewers every weekend - just beating last year's all-time high of 10.9 million (finalist Alexandra Burke pictured)

The eye-watering figures come after it emerged The X Factor, Strictly's famous Saturday night ITV rival, drew in its worst ever ratings this year, with only 5.2 million tuning into the last episode.

The figures, compiled by the Press Association, show how Strictly has become one of the BBC’s biggest success stories of recent years - and how The X Factor has tumbled in popularity since the start of the decade.

Strictly has attracted an average of 11 million viewers every weekend in 2017, making the series the most successful ever.

The biggest-ever audience for a Strictly final was 14.3 million in 2010 - meaning Saturday's big finish is likely to be the most-watched episode in the show's history.

Popular: The viewing figures, compiled by Press Association, prove this year's series to be the most successful in its fourteen year history (finalists Joe McFadden and Katya Jones pictured)

Record holder: The biggest ever audience for a Strictly final was 14.3 million in 2010 (winners Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev pictured) - with the 2017 final likely to overtake this figure

Last year the final had overnight ratings of 11.8 million, which rose to 13.3 million when the full ratings were published.

Strictly has not only broken its own records in 2017 - but has also enjoyed a bumper ratings lead over The X Factor.

The final of the singing contest drew in 5.5 million less viewers than the ballroom show's quarter-final - and The X Factor regularly pulled in about 4.6 million less than its competitor.

Second place: Strictly has not only broken its own records in 2017 - but has also enjoyed a bumper ratings lead over The X Factor

Decline: The final of the singing contest, which saw boy band Rak-Su crowned the winners (above) drew in 5.5 million less viewers than the ballroom show's quarter-final

In 2010 the ITV talent show was watched by an average of 14.1 million people every week - but the figure this year was less than half at just 6.3 million.

After this year's final, Twitter was awash with complaints that 2017 had been the 'worst series of The X Factor yet'.

'Think #XFactor needs a break to be fair,' one fan said. 'For me this has been one of the worst years. Lost its sparkle'

Better and better: The gap between the rivals has grown every year since 2012, when Strictly began to move comfortably ahead (finalists Gemma Atkinson and Aljaz Skorjanec pictured)

'This years X Factor has been dogs**t. Worst there's ever been.' said another, while another asked: 'As if X Factor ended and I didn't even realise there was a final.'

The gap between the rivals has grown every year since 2012, when Strictly first began to move comfortably ahead of The X Factor.

Fans are eagerly awaiting to see Alexandra Burke, Debbie McGee, Joe McFadden and Gemma Atkinson battle for the Glitterball Trophy on Saturday night.

Each couple will perform an epic three dances - one picked by the Judges, one show dance, and their favourite routine of the series.

Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One at 6.30pm on Saturday