Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas has undergone surgery to have her breast implants removed in a bid to reduce her risk of developing breast cancer, her representative has confirmed. The 59-year-old, who has a family history of the disease, had the procedure on Tuesday and is expected to appear on this Saturday's show.
Speaking before the operation, Ballas thanked her Instagram followers for their support. She previously revealed a cancer scare after a routine check-up and said her family's history with the disease came to light while filming an episode of Who Do You Think You Are? in 2018. Implants can block early signs of breast cancer during mammograms, prompting her decision.
Consultant plastic surgeon Michael Tyler, a spokesman for the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, said the operation is usually straightforward but recovery can take longer if the capsule of scar tissue around the implant is thick or if the pectoral muscle is involved. He advised that Ballas could sit and judge on Strictly but cautioned against dancing for at least a couple of weeks.
Ballas replaced Len Goodman as head judge on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017. She has urged women over 50 to get regular breast checks.
