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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Tina Campbell

'My broken heart will never repair': Strictly's Shirley Ballas opens up about brother's suicide

Shirley Ballas says she is still grieving the loss of her brother as she paid tribute to him on what would have been his 65th birthday.

Ballas' has spoken openly in the past about how older sibling David struggled with depression which led to him committing suicide in 2003.

Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, the Strictly Come Dancing head judge, 63, shared a slew of throwback pictures as she reflected on how life has changed for her family two decades on.

“Today would have been my darling brother David’s 65th birthday,” the Queen of Latin penned with a red love heart emoji. “David, I miss you so very very much.

“Behind my smile is still a broken heart that I don’t think will ever repair. But our darling mum, @markballas and @mischiefminky talk about you every single day.

“Your beautiful daughter Mary is doing amazingly well. We know you’re looking down on her feeling so proud.

“She’s engaged now to a phenomenally kind man, I know you would love him,” she continued.

Ballas also lamented how her late relative will never get to meet her first grandchild after her dancer son Mark Ballas welcomed son Banksi Wylde Ballas with his wife BC Jean last year.

Shirley Ballas pictured with her brother David (ITV)

“Mark is a dad, Mum is now a great grandmother and I’m a grandma,” she added.

“Can you believe it? Banksi is beautiful and I know you’d just adore him. I’m remembering all the times you took care of Mark for me whilst I travelled.

“You cared about him with so so much love in your heart. You will always be in our thoughts David.

“I feel you are with me each and every day and I believe you’re watching over us with that beautiful heart of yours.

“Till we meet again David. I love you so very very much,” she concluded, before adding: “For anyone struggling please reach out to @calmzone @suicideandco. There’s always someone there for you. Hugs. X” (sic)

*If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their site to find your local branch

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