Shirley Ballas is convinced her late brother David’s spirit is often by her side.
The Strictly judge, 62, regularly feels his presence two decades after he tragically took his life.
She told the Daily Star: “I feel his presence all the time. I know he is surrounding me and watching me and guiding me.
READ MORE: Strictly’s Shirley Ballas to take on ‘terrifying’ challenge in memory of late brother
“I carry his photographs with me all the time.”
Shirley knows he would be thrilled she has become a TV star.
She added: “My brother would have been so, so proud of me being on Strictly. He didn’t have an envious bone in his body.
(Image: Getty Images)
He was always pushing me to keep dancing.
“He always wanted me to focus on something and do well.’
Shirley has signed up to do a terrifying Skyathlon challenge to raise money for suicide prevention charity Calm.
It will include a zipline, wing walk and skydive.
She said: “It’s nice to be able to use a job like Strictly as a platform to help other people.”
(Image: PA)
Opening up about the challenge, she said: “I am scared of heights, so doing this is terrifying. I don’t know how I’ll do it, but I will because it’s for a great cause.”
Calm – the Campaign Against Living Miserably – helps people battling mental health issues.
Shirley added: “I have just lost someone to suicide, so this is a cause that is close to my heart. I want to raise £200,000.”
(Image: Mike Marsland/Getty Images for Good Housekeeping Live)
Last year, the dancer fought back tears as she discussed her brother David’s suicide on ITV’s This Morning.
David died aged 44 in 2003 after suffering from depression, leaving Shirley and her family heartbroken.
Shirley was seen wiping away tears as she touched on David’s photo being among many which features in an exhibition Campaign Against Living Miserably (Calm) at London’s Southbank, which shows the smiling faces of 50 people shortly before they took their own lives.
For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
To donate visit thecalmzone.net.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
