Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has been left heartbroken after a recent family tragedy as messages of support have been flooding in online just days before the final
Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has been inundated with messages of support following her announcement of a family bereavement.
The dancing expert is set to return to our screens this Saturday (December 20) for the programme’s spectacular finale. The remaining contestants including Amber Davies, George Clarke and Karen Carney will be competing fiercely to claim the coveted Glitterball trophy.
Yet, mere days ahead of the grand final, Shirley has suffered devastating heartache. Posting on her Instagram account on Wednesday evening (December 17), Shirley revealed that her cherished aunt – who had been like a “second mum” to her – had died.
The television personality uploaded multiple photographs featuring herself and her aunt, accompanied by a deeply moving tribute in the post. She penned: “My dearest Auntie Mavis … where do I begin.
“How I’ll miss you so very much. I’ll miss all your sayings of ‘you’re right love’, ‘do you know what I mean like love’, ‘yeah I know’ and l’d say ‘no you don’t know Mavis’. That one was my favourite.”, reports the Mirror.
Shirley went on: “Mavis was always there for me and my family, she had been like a second mum to me. Mum and I are sad you’re not here with us any more, Mavis. We will treasure the memories. Mum has many that’s for sure. Her best friend of over 65 years.
“The bond between Mavis and my mother was absolutely unbreakable. We will miss every minute of every second not chatting with you, talking with you and you making us laugh with all your antics. May you rest in peace now with your beautiful daughter Helen and your wonderful husband.
“We will celebrate you often, talk about you often, laugh often with all the things that you and my mum got up to. I truly thought that you would live forever, Mavis.”
Shirley concluded her heartfelt tribute by adding: “Thank you for always being there for me through the ups, through the downs and through all the parts of my life. Thank you for tuning into @bbcstrictly and then switching off after you’d seen my dress. That always made me smile.
“I’ll treasure every single memory I ever had with you. Rest in peace beautiful Mavis. Hugs and love, Shirley and Audrey. X.”
Celebrity friends and followers immediately flooded the comments with messages of comfort and condolence. Claudia Winkleman wrote: “Sending all my love,” whilst Neil Jones shared an orange heart emoji.
One supporter expressed: “So sorry for your loss. Your mum has lost her beautiful friend.” Another well-wisher added: “Aw bless you all, so sorry for your loss….. Sending so much love to you all and may Mavis rest in peace.” A third person wrote: “Sorry for your loss, sending love to you both rest in peace Mavis.”
Strictly Come Dancing airs this weekend on BBC One.
