Strictly’s Shirley Ballas ‘vows she WILL be on the judging panel this year despite breaking her ankle during lockdown’
Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has reportedly vowed she will be appearing on the judging panel this year, despite breaking her ankle in lockdown.
The former dancer, 59, has told pals she will be taking part in the show when it returns this autumn, despite having her foot set in plaster to try and speed up her recovery.
Shirley’s appearance on this year’s Strictly was thrown into doubt after she revealed last month she’d broken her ankle, but she reassured viewers she would be ‘absolutely fine’ to appear on the show.
Soldiering on: Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas, 59, has reportedly vowed she will be appearing on the judging panel this year, despite breaking her ankle in lockdown
A source close to Shirley told The Mirror: ‘She’ll definitely be back on Strictly. No reason for her not to be as she doesn’t need to dance to be on the panel but she will be out of the plaster by then.
‘The boot she had wasn’t secure enough, so she has been put in plaster to make sure the bones heal correctly.’
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Shirley Ballas for comment.
Ouch! The former dancer has told pals she will be taking part in the show when it returns this autumn, amid doubts when she revealed she’d broken her ankle last month
Shirley announced last month that she had a ‘clean break’ on her right foot, but assured Strictly fans she’ll be fine to appear on the show when it returns.
The head judge was joined by her boyfriend Danny Taylor, 47, as she documented her admission on Instagram.
Walking with the help of crutches and a medical boot, the choreographer expressed her gratitude towards the NHS and reassured fans she’ll ‘be fine’ to return to the BBC show in autumn following a six-week recovery.
Brave face: After revealing her injury, Shirley reassured fans she’ll ‘be fine’ to return to Strictly following a six-week recovery
In a clip filmed by her partner, the media personality said: ‘Hi everybody, I’ve just finished at A&E after a clean break, on my right ankle.
‘We’re not using Plaster of Paris anymore, using a boot, so I’m learning to walk on these crutches – crutches, right foot, close, a bit like the Waltz. Anyway, I’m going to be absolutely fine for Strictly.’
The TV star reiterated her comments in the post’s caption, where she also thanked her actor beau for lending a helping hand after she sustained her injury.
Shirley penned: ‘So a clean break. Six weeks to heal. Thank you to NHS and all staff who took care of me.’
Grateful: Shirley has spoken out about the fantastic care she received from the NHS after suffering a ‘clean break’ to her ankle during the coronavirus pandemic in July
Last week Shirley also admitted that she was awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test, after developing symptoms while recovering from her ankle injury.
While sharing her joy over Strictly taking home the BAFTA for Best Entertainment Programme, Shirley opened up about her health concerns.
She said: ‘I broke my foot, so that is healing, I’ve not been so well with a cough. I had a temperature and a this and a that.
‘So I just took the Covid test today so I have to wait for 24 hours, then my boyfriend will come back some time next week.’
Courageous: Last week Shirley also admitted that she was awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test, after developing symptoms while recovering from her ankle injury