Rai's upcoming season sparks speculation on Barbara D'Urso joining Ballando jury and Belen Rodriguez appearing at San Re

Media outlets report that the public broadcaster Rai is considering adding veteran presenter Barbara D'Urso to the judging panel of the Saturday‑night dance competition Ballando con le Stelle, a vacancy left after Selvaggia Lucarelli’s departure. Rumours of her appointment have been amplified by several Italian tabloids, while a Fanpage source quoted Rai officials dismissing the idea as “a mess”. At the same time, Rai’s autumn schedule confirms Ballando will return unchanged for the 2026‑2027 season.

Separate but contemporaneous speculation surrounds the 2027 edition of the Sanremo Music Festival. Several reports cite Stefano De Martino – the festival’s incoming artistic director – as weighing a special guest appearance by his former partner Belen Rodriguez. The idea appears in stories from Gente and other gossip sites, describing a limited‑time performance rather than a co‑hosting role. De Martino has been quoted saying that involving friends “is the most beautiful thing”, but no official confirmation has been issued.

Both sets of rumours form part of a broader media focus on Rai’s upcoming programming slate, though none of the proposals have been formally confirmed by the broadcaster.