Shirley Ballas reveals ‘dark times’ in life and health battle she kept secret for years

Strictly’s head judge, Shirley Ballas, may be known for her glitz and glamour, but she’s not afraid to address more challenging topics. The Merseyside-born former Latin American champion chats to OK! while taking a break from filming her eighth series of the BBC dance show. about her most beloved Strictly moments and offering her fans the most needed cuddles backstage.

She also opens up about how she navigates life’s “dark times” – as well as her struggle with bladder leaks. When asked how the role was started, Shirley bursts into laughter when asked how the campaign started to encourage women to perform pelvic floor exercises and seek medical attention for leaks.

“It did take a minute when I was invited to do this, because even though I can talk about this among my friends, it’s a bit of a taboo subject”, she explains. “But when I sat with my mum Audrey, who’s 87, she said to me, ‘ Think of all the women you could help, think of all the people out there for whom you could make it not such a taboo subject. ‘ She reminded me of some of the experiences I’ve gone through myself because she has a much better memory than I do.

Shirley, 64, explains that she had her own experiences of the issue after the birth of her son Mark, now 38, and during menopause. She’s now on a “mission” to encourage open conversations as part of her involvement with Always Discreet’s Squeeze the Day campaign, reports OK!.

“One of the times that leaks have affected me was obviously when I gave birth to Mark at the age of 25 and I had to wear a kind of napkin immediately because I had no idea what was going on with me or anything. I gave birth to him and there was nobody there for me, it was just, ‘ Get back to it and don’t complain. ‘ No one at the church who I knew really cared or helped me because I was in pain and breastfeeding and my boobs leaking.

” It wasn’t pretty for me after I gave birth to my son or during menopause. I kept it all very personal, as I did with the menopause, but my mum thinks life is about helping people, that’s why I’m on this mission. So, I think it’s important we talk about bladder leaks, and the more I talk about it, the easier it becomes. “

Shirley gave birth to her son Mark Ballas – now a three-times Dancing with the Stars champion in the US – in 1986, not long after tying the knot with his father and fellow dance prodigy, America’s Mark ‘ Corky ‘ Ballas.

” It was very different back then, “she shared”. Six weeks after giving birth, I had to return to dancing because I was still working the night before. How dare you come out here and compete with those stretch marks, my dance instructor once said to me at the time? He placed us sixth in a game we ought to have actually won.

“I can still feel what he left me with,” I recall. And then, during menopause, I was in the most insecure phase of my life. I just want to make it simple and not taboo because I only just started learning a lot more about it.

After serving as head judge for eight years, Shirley plays a motherly role in the background, generously offering advice and support in addition to her thorough analysis. This support holds particular significance given the show’s historic 20th series, which was at risk of being overshadowed by claims of misconduct, leading to a BBC inquiry.

Shirley Ballas, the show’s head judge, has revealed that she feels more emotionally connected to the dynamics of the show’s back-to-basket dynamics. “I feel like this series, particularly, I’m more aware of everything that’s going on backstage, and if I feel that somebody needs an extra snuggle bunny cuddle, I take off my Strictly dance hats and I’m there on an emotional basis for some people”, she shared.

Shirley also mentioned the various roles she plays on the show, “I’ve discovered that I wear a lot of hats.” The happy hat, the need-a-cuddle hat, the strict hat, the technical hat. I’ve got all these kinds of hats going on and I do feel a responsibility.

I don’t just work on Saturdays, I just do it. I’m well-known and known for coming up with new expressions. Even though it’s my lifelong job, I always try to deliver something with a smile in the eye and a message that encourages someone to improve next week and emerge stronger and prepare for the final.

This year’s Strictly has been a hit, with a fantastic celebrity cast and impressive dancing. Everyone is focused on the positive outcomes of the show, so the dreaded “cure” hasn’t been a topic of discussion.

Shirley continued, “They’re the strongest backstage cast that I believe has really unified around the message, “OK, we’re on a mission to all do well and bring the best to the families at home. ” And that’s all that the show ever tries to accomplish in addition to the various experiences we encounter.

Reflecting on memorable moments, Shirley said:” Ann Widdecombe, who I love, because she was at my first interview when I went to get the job. They told me, ‘ You’ve got 15 seconds to comment on the people that will flash up on the screen. ‘ Ann Widdecombe appeared in front of the camera as she was mopping the floor in a yellow dress. I was lost for words, it was the first time in my life I’ve been tongue-tied. “

” And also Kelvin Fletcher. Jamie Laing apparently injured his foot at the last minute, so Kelvin stepped in and danced the samba. In my entire life, I have never witnessed a man dance a samba that way!

While many consider her to be the matriarch of Strictly, Shirley admits she would be content if her show’s journey ended tomorrow.

” I don’t feel any pressure when I’m on Strictly because, let’s say if they didn’t renew my contract and I wasn’t on it next year, I would be so eternally grateful for the eight series that I’ve had, “she says”. When it comes to the media, social media, or whatever, I have had nothing but beautiful souls who have always been there for me in difficult times. I’ve got memories to take with me and that’s what life’s about. Strictly Come Dancing has undoubtedly given me those memories, which is what life is all about.

Always Discreet has collaborated with Shirley Ballas, a TV judge and world champion dancer, for its Squeeze the Day campaign because November is Bladder Health Awareness Month. Visit alwaysdiscreet. co. uk/en-gb/squeeze-the-day

Source: Mirror