Strictly Come Dancing's head judge, Shirley Ballas, has revealed she faced a terrifying near-death experience just moments before she was due to appear on the live Blackpool special.
A Terrifying Ordeal Backstage
The dramatic incident unfolded on Saturday, 22 November, a mere 20 minutes before the live broadcast was scheduled to begin. Ballas was backstage when she began to choke on a fishbone, which became firmly lodged in her throat, leaving her unable to breathe.
In a moment of sheer panic, her quick-thinking hairstylist, Jane, stepped in and performed the Heimlich manoeuvre. The life-saving procedure was successful, dislodging the obstruction and allowing Ballas to breathe again.
Praise for a Life-Saving Hero
Speaking about the harrowing event, Shirley Ballas was full of praise for her stylist's immediate and decisive actions. She stated that without Jane's intervention, the show would have been 'a judge down', starkly acknowledging how close she came to a fatal outcome.
The incident highlights the hidden dangers that can occur even in the most glamorous of settings and serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of knowing basic first aid.
