Strictly star Shirley Ballas shares health update after she 'almost died' 20 minutes before live show
Sounds terrifying!Strictly star Shirley Ballas has issued a health update, after almost dying 20 minutes before the live Blackpool show on Saturday (November 22).
The judge, 65, spoke about the incient on It Takes Two.
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Shirley Ballas chokes 20 minutes before Strictly’s Blackpool show
Taking to her Instagram story yesterday (Sunday, November 23), in a video for her 413k followers to see, Shirley revealed she almost didn’t make it to her desk on Saturday night.
The star explained that she’d choked on a fish bone, and make-up artist Jane Burstow had to perform the Heimlich manoeuvre to dislodge it.
“I choked on a fish bone,” Shirley explained.
“It got lodged in my throat, and my wonderful Jane, who has been with me for nine years, did the Heimlich manoeuvre, and we got the bone out. But for 20 minutes there, it was lodged, and I couldn’t breathe, so it was terrifying.
“We’d have been a judge down tonight if it wasn’t for her…,” she then continued.
“Gratitude to Jane because I panicked. I really thought that was it, the end, amen.”
Shirley issues health update
Appearing on It Takes Two tonight (Monday, November 24), Shirley opened up some more about the terrifying incident.
The star explained that she was having fish before the show when the bone got “lodged” in her throat.
“Jane, who does my hair, picked me up, my feet were waggling, just my underwear on, and she was giving me this Heimlich manoeuvre. And it was just unbelievably scary,” she said.
“So it took me a minute to sort of calm down, and 20 mintues later, we were live.”
She explained that she couldn’t project her voice very far on the night, and they believe the bone went all the way down her throat, which has scratched it.
“Last two days, little bit sore and scary, but today, tonight, feeling a little bit better.”
Shirley vows to learn the Heimlich manoeuvre
Issuing an update on her story yesterday (Sunday, November 23), Shirley said, “I’m a bit hoarse, but all is good.”
Following the ordeal, Shirley has vowed to learn the Heimlich manoeuvre in case she ever needs it in the future. The move involves someone performing abdominal thrusts to dislodge an object stuck in someone’s airways.
“I’m going to study now in case I ever come across anybody who needs my help,” she added.
In an Instagram video, Shirley joked about the incident. Sitting behind her make-up artists and stylists, who are flexing their muscles, Shirley holds a box of fish and chips.
“Almost didn’t make it to the desk last night, I had a fishbone stuck,” she captioned the post.
Fans send their love
Fans were quick to send their love.
“Really glad to hear you’re ok!” one fan commented.
“Glad your alright Shirley,” another said. “Omg. Shirley. Hope you’re OK now,” a third wrote.
Read more: Inside the Strictly Blackpool wrap party as Tess and Claudia down tequila and say goodbye
Strictly continues on Saturday, November 29 from 6.35pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
