Shirley Ballas has been a member of the Strictly Come Dancing judging panel since 2017 and revealed that the worst moment of her life occurred before she took up the role
Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has revealed the devastating moment she discovered her brother had taken his own life.
The 64-year-old became part of the Strictly panel in 2017, taking over from the late Len Goodman, and has since won over audiences nationwide. Shirley has been competing in dance since childhood, securing numerous championship victories in her specialty of International Latin and earning the title 'Queen of Latin'.
Yet the Merseyside-born ballroom expert has had to navigate a profound family loss when her brother died in December 2003. In conversation with the Telegraph, the BBC personality revealed the "worst moment of her life" when she picked up the telephone to learn that her brother, David, had taken his own life.
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She said: "I collapsed on the floor and had to call my ex-husband to drive my mother and me, because we were in London, all the way up to the North. It was the Friday of a bank holiday weekend, so the traffic was bad, and we couldn't get hold of anybody to tell us what was happening.
"Everything was a drama. And my poor mother: when the police came to the front door and said, "Mrs Rich?, reports the Mirror.
"I moved aside, and she stepped forward and they broke the news. It was awful."
Shirley, who has wed twice and has son Mark with her second spouse Corky Ballas, has since become a patron of the charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) following David's passing. She said: "The only positive that can be taken from such a terrible time is that, because I got the Strictly job years later, I'm now able to use that platform to be an ambassador for the Campaign Against Living Miserably, so I'm able to help people with suicidal thoughts or anybody who feels like they want to take their own life."
In a social media post in December 2023, Shirley honoured David two decades after his passing. She shared a photograph of them together as well as images of a tribute featuring David that had previously been displayed on London's Southbank.
"20 years ago today my dearest brother David took his own life," Shirley began the caption of her post. "I lost my brother, my protector and my best friend. I'll remember the dreaded knock on the front door forever. I can still picture the police officers standing there and I just knew something was wrong. 'Mrs Rich', they said. I stepped aside and my mother stepped forward. From that moment, our worlds came crashing down.
"How time flies dearest David. Where have the years gone... you are truly missed on a daily basis. I'll never really know why you went, but my mother and I talk about you often and you are never forgotten. Mary, your beautiful daughter, is doing you so very proud. She is strong, beautiful and she brings us so much joy.
"My work for @calmzone and @suicideandco will continue with you in the forefront of my mind. My Skyathlon was for you David. I zip lined, wing walked and I skydived for you David. I'll continue to support others who are in dark places as I have learnt over the years there is light at the end of the tunnel. Continue to rest in peace David. Mum and I miss you so very much."
