WHAT A TROUPER!
Show goes on for brave Shirley after four-hour breast op
STRICTLY’S head judge Shirley Ballas defied doctor’s orders last night and returned to the show just days after a gruelling operation to have her breast implants removed.
While showing dedication that would surely merit a score of ten out of ten, she said: ‘It has been a rough week, I’m not going to lie. It has been tough.’
The four-and-a-half hour operation was performed at an NHS hospital on Tuesday.
The star took the decision to reverse the plastic surgery because of a risk of cancer in her family. She yesterday estimated her pain to be ‘at the four out of ten level’.
Ditching her usual sparkling gowns, Ms Ballas, 59, opted for a black tuxedo to hide a special support bra she was told to wear by doctors after they reduced her bust from her DD implants to her natural A cup.
Her only other obvious concession to the operation performed by leading plastic surgeon Norman Waterhouse was her decision to opt out of her traditional twirl with fellow judge Bruno Tonioli at the beginning of the show.
Speaking ahead of last night’s broadcast, Ms Ballas declared: ‘I’m all ready for the live show.’ ’ Offering thanks and tribute to those who had helped ensure she wouldn’t miss a single show, she said: ‘First of all I want to say thank you for all of the beautiful messages I have received and to my Dr Waterhouse who got me prepared and ready to be here, huge thank you to my mum and my son, he is like, “You’ve got this, Mum”.
‘It has been a rough week, it has been a bit tough but I’m here and I’m ready to go. I have a beautiful tuxedo on this evening, not in a long dress tonight. I’m really looking forward to getting out there and I’m glad to be able to share this journey with you.’
As well as removing the breast implants, the surgeon also carried out a total capsulotomy. This is the extraction of a layer of scar tissue around the implant area.
The procedure greatly added to the length of the surgery and means Ms Ballas may face a more difficult recovery, but removing the scar tissue ti reduces d the th chances h of f a rare type of cancer developing.
Ms Ballas admitted to weaning herself off powerful painkillers in favour of paracetamol and antibiotics precisely so she could take part in last night’s live show.
She said: ‘ I have stuck to all Mr Waterhouse’s rules apart from one, which was: ‘’Don’t go to work on Saturday!’’’
She added: ‘ I won’t be able to dance with Bruno like usual. But I think everyone will understand.
‘ I’ll be on a limited amount of medication because I don’t want to be twirling too high, now do I?’
Ms Ballas had shown no nerves pri prior to her operation, the nig night before showing off her curves for t he l ast tim time in a striking purple one one- shoulder gown on the red carpet of the Pride Of Bri Britain awards. Ms Ballas sho showed it was business as usua usual despite her operation on S Strictly last night.
She Sh was on her feet to cheer on th those celebrities she felt had hd performed very well. She also stood up to give social media star Saffron Barker pointers on her routine.
There was enormous praise for former football star Alex Scott who again danced with her ‘ stand-in’ partner Kevin Clifton.
Some of the judges’ comments implied they thought she was doing better without regular partner Neil Jones who had to miss the show for a second week because of injury.
Craig Revel Horwood told the sports pundit: ‘I felt like we were seeing you for the first time.
‘This accidental partnership is working well.’