Strictly’s Shirley Ballas admits family ‘wouldn’t speak to me’ over idea

Shirley Ballas gets emotional as her mum surprises her

Shirley Ballas admitted her family “stopped talking to her” recently as she spoke exclusively to Express.co.uk.

Shirley faced her biggest fears last week when she took on three terrifying challenges, all involving heights and concluding with a skydive from 1,300 feet.

The Strictly Come Dancing judge and Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) ambassador braved the skies to fundraise in memory of her brother, who died by suicide in 2003.

When asked about her family’s response to the decision, the 62-year-old admitted: “Well, my mother went to her room for a week and wouldn’t speak to me.

“My friend just thought I was absolutely bonkers. My son was like, ‘Well, why mother, why?'”

READ MORE Strictly Come Dancing’s Shirley Ballas fights tears over BBC Breakfast surprise

The Ballroom legend continued: “When in actual fact he was the one who told me to take the job on Strictly and go for it because it would give me a platform for things like suicide, cancer, children’s hospices, hospitals and things.

“So you know, when he says to me, ‘Why?’ I say, ‘Because you told me to take a job and I have a platform to help people! That’s why.'”

Reflecting on this year’s Strictly line-up, Shirley commented: “I think we’ve got a great cast.

“Angela Rippon of course from the 50s Come Dancing I was part of. She was the one calling my number, my name, and talking to me.

“I think you’ll be very surprised, this is a very educated lady who will bring her best foot forward.”

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Shirley kept images of her brother David close to her heart throughout the week and felt as though he was with her, particularly when she took on her first challenge, the zip wire.

The Strictly star and her mum Audrey have had an emotional week and have relived their loss of David throughout all the challenges.

When talking on BBC Breakfast, Audrey Rich, said: “You never really get over it, it’s very hard, at night when you go to bed, you relive it all.”

Shirley added: “‘If I’d had CALM 20 years ago, I think my big brother would be sitting right here with us.”

Strictly Come Dancing is set to return to BBC One in September.

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