Strictly Come Dancing star Shirley Ballas rushed to hospital after frightening accident

Lewis Henderson

By Lewis Henderson


Published: 17/01/2026

- 11:20

Updated: 17/01/2026

- 12:02

The doctor treating the Strictly judge said she 'was very lucky'

Strictly Come Dancing's Shirley Ballas was rushed to hospital after falling and hitting her head on a glass table.

The 65-year-old judge shared on social media that she is taking time to heal her neck and back following the incident.


Ms Ballas confirmed she had not injured her skull when she fell.

The Strictly star thanked those who had reached out and checked in on her.

Taking to Instagram, she said: "Thank you to all who reached out to see how I'm doing.

"Scary fall backwards hitting my head on the glass dressing table.

"Trip to hospital to get a brain scan. Fortunately for me no cracked skull. I'll rest a few days to heal my neck and back.

"Hugs (and) thank you to @barbara_mccoll (a fellow professional dancer) for getting my emergency appointment and to Sammy Stopford (her ex-husband) for taking me, and sitting with me all day. Gratitude, as the doctor said I was very lucky."

Shirley BallasShirley Ballas injured her neck and back in the incident | BBC

Ms Ballas is due to take part in the upcoming Strictly Come Dancing live tour, alongside her fellow judges Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood.

Some 30 shows are scheduled when it begins next week, with it concluding on Valentine's weekend.

The 65-year-old joined Strictly in 2017 and made her debut as head judge in September of this year.

Ms Ballas has long complained about male suicide awareness and men's mental health, after her brother took his own life in 2003.

Shirley Ballas

Ms Ballas is due to take part in the upcoming Strictly Come Dancing live tour

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PA


She is an ambassador for charities Campaign Against Living Miserably and Suicide&Co.

In August last year, Ms Ballas said she would "never feel completely safe again" after being targeted by a stalker who accused her of killing a member of her family in an interview with the Sunday Mirror.

The professional dancer has also worked to raise awareness of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties, after her mother, Audrey, was diagnosed in 2022.

At the back end of last year, Ms Ballas admitted to feeling "surprised" and "sad" after hearing the news that Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman would be leaving their roles as presenters on Strictly.

Shirley Ballas

Shirley Ballas joined Strictly in 2017

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BBC

Ms Daly, 56, has presented the popular dance show from its debut in 2004, with Ms Winkleman, 53, having started off on the competition's spin-off chat show, It Takes Two, also in 2004.

She began co-presenting with Ms Daly in 2014. During the latest series, which wrapped up on December 20, the pair announced they would be stepping down following the last episode.

In an interview with Saga Magazine, the Strictly judge said: "Everyone was surprised. I share the changing room next to them, and they are full of giggles and laughter.

"They also showed me the way from when I joined until now, so it will be a sad day when they go."