Shirley Ballas has an unshakeable work ethic, a high pain threshold and a razzle-dazzle smile. And she'll need all three to get her through the new series of Strictly Come Dancing as she waits for spinal surgery.
After a 56-year career of non-stop dancing, Shirley, now 63, is struggling with back pain. She's seen three spine specialists and is preparing to go under the knife.
In an exclusive chat, Shirley tells OK!, "I've been to see three specialists and I may need surgery. It's not a choice, I will have to get it sorted. It can wait until after Strictly because I have a high tolerance for pain anyway, and it's something I've been living with for many, many years, but it's just deteriorated over the course of the last year." Spinal surgery is not to be undertaken lightly, but Shirley has sought the best opinions and has the support of her son Mark and her mum Audrey.
"I'm on it like a car bonnet," reassures Shirley.
"I am working and making sure I'm seeing the best people on both sides of the Atlantic - in the United States and here. My whole family's involved in it, and I have some great people with some great advice." Until now, Shirley has lived her life at 100 miles an hour, but she's beginning to accept she needs to take some time out for herself.
"It's time to not work such long hours," concedes Shirley. "Not so much with TV, because that's actually pleasurable and I find it very easy, but I stand on my feet all day, from morning till night, teaching and coaching.
That's the part I'm going to have to take a little bit of a step back from."
Denne historien er fra September 16, 2024-utgaven av OK! UK.
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Denne historien er fra September 16, 2024-utgaven av OK! UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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TAKE CARE OF YOUR GUT
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I'll cherish my friendship with Vito for the rest of my life'
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Comedian Joel Dommett on returning to the I'm A Celebrity jungle and how fatherhood has changed him
'We're so pleased our rainbow baby is here'
Mrs Brown's Boys actor Gary Hollywood and his wife Cherylanne invite us into their home to meet special new arrival Carter
'Ballroom dancing is your real school of life'
Former Strictly star Kristina Rihanoff on why she thought she'd never dance again after becoming a mum and how her daughter Mila is now following in her footsteps
A CELEBRATION FOR THE KING
As King Charles marks his 76th birthday, we hear how our beloved monarch may take time to reflect on a difficult year and look ahead to a busy, brighter 2025
WILLIAM'S 'BRUTAL' YEAR
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'Love is there for absolutely everybody'
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