Shirley Ballas opened up about her late brother (Image: BBC)
opened up about her late brother, admitting he had a huge influence on her career when she was just getting started.
The star, 64, was left devastated when her brother, David, took his own life in 2003 at the age of 44.
David struggled with depression throughout his life and was “in a terrible place” prior to his death. However, Shirley still remembers the happy memories she has with her older brother.
Opening up about their close bond, Shirley exclusively told Express.co.uk: “I remember the last ever run we did together on Leasowe beach. He was a strong, strapping chap and I beat him on the last 100 yards and I can still remember him bending over doubled with laughter.”
The head judge continued: “He took good care of my son for a good part of Mark’s 11 years of life with my mother. He was just a huge part of my life.”
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Shirley lost her brother to suicide in 2003 (Image: ITV)
Shirley branded David her “number one cheerleader”, revealing how he was the person who would make sure she would make it to her dancing lessons and performances.
She continued: “He was the person who always pushed me to the housing estate to make sure I was going to my dancing. He supported where he could. He never complained, never grumbled. He was never a jealous brother.
The professional dancer added: “To me, he was my rock and my world. We talked every day when the children got out of school all through them growing up. I miss those calls and I miss him terribly.”
Shirley confessed that she will never be able to get over her brother’s death, however, has learnt to live with it over time. After her brother’s passing, the mum-of-one became an advocate for suicide prevention charity, Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM).
In their lastest campaign which took place earlier this month, CALM marked the lives of young people who have died by suicide over the last 10 years. The charity unveiled a powerful installation of 6,929 balloons, in Westfield, London, to represent a birthday the young person never reached.
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Shirley became emotional during Strictly (Image: BBC)
Things took an emotional turn for Shirley when it came to critiquing ‘s performance during week one of last week.
The comedian is the first-ever blind contestant to take part in the series, with Shirley praising his Cha Cha Cha with Dianne Buswell.
“Just to take her between your legs, you have to time that,” Shirley said. “It’s hard enough as it is. You had great skills when it came to listening to your partner.”
She added: “That was, for me, actually I’m quite shocked and very emotional, fabulous.”