Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas has revealed she 'almost didn't make it' after choking on a fishbone minutes before the live Blackpool show. The 65-year-old said her hairstylist, Jane, performed the Heimlich manoeuvre to dislodge the bone, which had become lodged in her throat for 20 minutes.
In a video shared on Instagram, Ballas described the incident as 'terrifying' and said she was struggling to breathe. 'We'd have been a judge down tonight if it wasn't for her,' she added. The judge later updated fans, saying she was 'a bit hoarse, but all is good'.
Ballas has now vowed to learn the Heimlich manoeuvre herself, in case she ever needs to help someone else. 'I'm going to study now in case I ever come across anybody who needs my help,' she said.
The incident comes after Ballas faced several health struggles, including a cancer scare after finding lumpy tissue in her left breast. She was given the all clear after three biopsies and a mammogram, but said she was 'worried' she had 'worked myself to death'.
Last year, the Strictly star revealed she had been diagnosed with a degenerative spine disorder and is managing the condition with anti-inflammatory measures, juicing, and ice bathing to avoid surgery.
