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Shirley Ballas Gives Health Update After Backstage Choking Scare Before Strictly’s Blackpool Live Show

Ballas reports her voice is recovering after a backstage Heimlich rescue.

Overview

  • Appearing on It Takes Two, Ballas said the fish bone likely went down her throat and left it scratched, noting her voice was limited but improving.
  • She described choking on a fish bone about 30 minutes before the Blackpool broadcast and being unable to breathe for roughly 20 minutes.
  • Longtime hair and make-up artist Jane Burstow performed the Heimlich manoeuvre, which Ballas said prevented the show from being a judge down.
  • Ballas has publicly thanked Burstow for the intervention and has pledged to learn the Heimlich manoeuvre herself.
  • After the live show, Ballas returned to London and told fans she was a bit hoarse but otherwise okay, with Strictly’s production continuing as normal.