BBC Strictly Come Dancing star 'collapses on floor' after heartbreaking family phone call

Shirley, who is the head judge on the BBC show, has discussed her grie having lost her brother to suicide.

BBC Strictly Come Dancing star Shirley Ballas was left collapsed on the floor after a heartbreaking phone call, she has revealed. Shirley, who is the head judge on the BBC show, has discussed her grie having lost her brother to suicide.

Strictly Come Dancing star Shirley revealed she suffered a family tragedy when brother David took his own life in 2003. Shirley, aged 63, spoke to the Telegraph newspaper, where she documented the "worst moment of her life" when she answered the phone and was told the news.

She said: "I collapsed on the floor and had to call my ex-husband to drive my mother and me, because we were in London, all the way up to the North. It was the Friday of a bank holiday weekend, so the traffic was bad, and we couldn't get hold of anybody to tell us what was happening.

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"Everything was a drama. And my poor mother: when the police came to the front door and said, "Mrs Rich?" I moved aside, and she stepped forward and they broke the news. It was awful." She said: "The only positive that can be taken from such a terrible time is that, because I got the Strictly job years later, I'm now able to use that platform to be an ambassador for the Campaign Against Living Miserably, so I'm able to help people with suicidal thoughts or anybody who feels like they want to take their own life."

"20 years ago today my dearest brother David took his own life," Shirley wrtoe on Instagram in a tribute last year "I lost my brother, my protector and my best friend. I’ll remember the dreaded knock on the front door forever. I can still picture the police officers standing there and I just knew something was wrong. 'Mrs Rich', they said. I stepped aside and my mother stepped forward.

"From that moment, our worlds came crashing down. How time flies dearest David. Where have the years gone… you are truly missed on a daily basis. I’ll never really know why you went, but my mother and I talk about you often and you are never forgotten.

"Mary, your beautiful daughter, is doing you so very proud. She is strong, beautiful and she brings us so much joy. My work for @calmzone and @suicideandco will continue with you in the forefront of my mind. My Skyathlon was for you David.

"I zip lined, wing walked and I skydived for you David. I’ll continue to support others who are in dark places as I have learnt over the years there is light at the end of the tunnel. Continue to rest in peace David. Mum and I miss you so very much."