Strictly Come Dancing's Shirley Ballas 'collapsed on the floor' after devastating phone call

Shirley has been a Strictly Come Dacing fan favourite since joining the BBC show in 2017 but revealed she suffered a family tragedy 14 years previously

Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has opened up on the heartbreaking moment she found out her brother had taken his own life.

The 63-year-old joined the Strictly team in 2017, replacing the now late Len Goodman, and has become a firm favourite with viewers. Shirley has been dancing competitively since she was a child, winning several championship titles in her specialism, International Latin and being named the 'Queen of Latin'.

However, the Merseyside-born ballroom dancer has had to overcome a family tragedy when she lost her brother in December 2003. Speaking to the Telegraph, the BBC star opened up on the "worst moment of her life" when she answered the phone and found out her brother, David, had taken his own life.

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?" I moved aside, and she stepped forward and they broke the news. It was awful."

Shirley, who has been married twice and shares son Mark with her second husband Corky Ballas, has become an ambassador of the charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) after David's death.

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 paid tribute to David two decades after he died. She posted a picture of them together as well as photos of a tribute featuring David that appeared previously in London on the Southbank.

"20 years ago today my dearest brother David took his own life," Shirley started 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."

For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org , visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.