Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas has declared herself 'very lucky' after suffering a frightening fall at her home earlier this week. The 65-year-old television star provided a detailed health update to her followers via Instagram on Sunday, following a precautionary hospital visit.
A Frightening Incident and Hospital Visit
Ballas initially informed her fans about the accident on Saturday. She explained that she had fallen backwards, striking her head on a glass dressing table. The severity of the impact prompted an immediate trip to hospital for a brain scan as a safety measure. Fortunately, the scan revealed no serious damage such as a cracked skull, allowing her to return home to recuperate.
In her latest update, shared while travelling to a physiotherapy appointment, the BBC star elaborated on her condition. She revealed that the fall had left her with multiple injuries. 'The spine, neck, lower back, ankle – everything hurts,' she confessed to her audience. Ballas credited her osteopath, John Harris, for providing crucial care and stated he had told her she was fortunate given the precise way her head made contact during the fall.
Recovery Plan and Forced Rest
The dance expert has now been instructed to prioritise rest as part of her recovery. Her medical advisor has mandated that she take things easy for the next 72 hours to allow her body to heal properly. Ballas admitted that being 'forced to rest' was an unusual situation for her, given her typically busy schedule. She expressed immense gratitude for the support she received from medical professionals and friends in the aftermath of the accident.
Reflecting on the cause, Ballas offered a piece of cautionary advice to her followers, warning against sitting on stools with cushions after her own mishap. 'Never sit on a stool with a cushion,' she advised, explaining that she had slipped off just such a seat. She remains optimistic about her recovery, hoping to feel 'as right as rain' after the three-day rest period.
Life Beyond the Fall: Dating and Strictly Tour
This health scare comes at a busy time for Shirley Ballas. She recently confirmed that she has cautiously returned to the dating scene following her split from boyfriend Danny Taylor over a year ago. The Strictly judge revealed she has been on 'a date or two' and is open to meeting someone new, prioritising intellect and a good sense of humour in a potential partner.
Professionally, Ballas is preparing to embark on the 30-date Strictly Come Dancing live arena tour, where she will judge performances for crowds of over 10,000 people alongside celebrities and professionals from the latest series. For now, however, her focus remains firmly on a full and steady recovery from her unexpected fall.
