Strictly’s Shirley Ballas reveals she didn’t ‘know her own name’ during coronavirus hell
‘I didn’t know my own name’: Strictly’s Shirley Ballas, 60, reveals she was bedbound for weeks after contracting coronavirus as she waits to see if she’s suffering from ‘long Covid’
- The Strictly Come Dancing head judge, 60, contracted the virus in March this year, shortly after having her first vaccination
- In a new interview Shirley revealed she was left bedbound for two weeks as a result of contracting Covid
- The star added she’s having medical tests to see if she has long covid after ‘other issues’ have occurred since she was ill
- Long covid, also known as post-COVID-19 syndrome, is when people suffer with symptoms that last weeks or months after the coronavirus infection has gone
- Shirley encouraged others to get their vaccinations while expressing her hope that everything will be ‘sorted’ by the time the new series of Strictly kicks off
Shirley Ballas has detailed her ordeal after previously being struck down with coronavirus, admitting at one point she didn’t even ‘know my own name’.
The Strictly Come Dancing head judge, 60, contracted the virus in March this year, shortly after having her first vaccination, and was left bedbound for two weeks as a result.
And in a new interview with The Sun, Shirley told she’s having medical tests to see if she has long covid after ‘other issues’ have occurred since she was ill.
Struggles: Shirley Ballas has detailed her ordeal after previously being struck down with coronavirus, admitting at one point she didn’t even ‘know my own name’
Detailing her experience, she said: ‘I’m in the middle of having some tests for that, because there are now some other issues that have occurred…
‘We both got Covid and were both poorly and we’ve both had after- effects, from tiredness to certain lumps and bumps, and we’re dealing with that.’
Long covid, also known as post-COVID-19 syndrome, is when people suffer with symptoms that last weeks or months after the coronavirus infection has gone.
She went on: ‘Although I didn’t have to go to hospital, I was in bed for two weeks and I didn’t know my own name. It was scary for a while. I couldn’t get my act together, and that is not like me. I’m usually up at seven in the morning, going here and there.’
Ill: The Strictly judge, 60, contracted the virus in March this year, shortly after having her first vaccination, and was left bedbound for two weeks as a result (pictured getting her vaccine)
Shirley added that it was ‘quite an experience’ for her and has left her with a ‘tiring effect’.
The star told how she had her first jab and was later struck down with the virus. After recovering, she then recently had her second vaccination.
She then went on to encourage others to get their vaccinations while expressing her hope that everything will be ‘sorted’ by the time the new series of Strictly kicks off in September.
With the 19th series set to hit screens in just a few months, Shirley told how there has been a few ‘tweaks and turns’ amid covid restrictions.
Last year’s show saw a reduced audience, social distancing, a shortened run and the Blackpool special being cancelled, as well as other strict protocols.
She added that the BBC show will be ‘outstanding’, while she teased that the cast for the series are ‘fantastic’.
Another change this year will see the departure of professional dancer Janette Manrara, who announced this week that she’ll be leaving to become the new co-host of spin-off show It Takes Two, after Zoe Ball quit the role.
Of Janette’s exciting news, Shirley remarked that she’s ‘super-proud’ and ‘happy’ for the dancer, noting that she will be ‘incredible’ on the show.
Meanwhile, Shirley opened up about getting into shape ahead of the new series, after putting on a little extra weight during lockdown.
She said: ‘I’m carrying a little bit extra but these workouts are like four hours every day, plus there’s my Peloton bike. I’m starting to get back into shape for Strictly. This show is all about focus and I think it has kick-started me into my better health regime.’
She added that to get into the ‘slinky evening dresses’ she so often wears on the show, she’ll need to be at her ‘regular weight’, remarking that she loses weight in her face first.
Fears: And in a new interview with The Sun , Shirley told she’s having medical tests to see if she has long covid after ‘other issues’ have occurred since she was ill
Ordeal: ‘I was in bed for two weeks and I didn’t know my own name. It was scary for a while. I couldn’t get my act together and that is not like me’
And the Queen of Latin remained coy about whether she’ll be slipping into another all important dress soon – wedding dress.
Shirley told that she and boyfriend Danny Taylor, 48, have a ‘good relationship’ and do ‘discuss’ the idea of getting married, but have been so busy of late to have had the time to ‘focus on ourselves’.
While the star remained tight-lipped about her wedding plans, she did let slip about the couple’s sex life, hinting that her toyboy lover needs stamina to keep up with her.
exciting: With the 19th series set to hit screens in just a few months, Shirley told how there has been a few ‘tweaks and turns’ amid covid restrictions
She joked that although Danny has ‘bundles of energy’, he is the one that has to ‘keep up’ with her between the sheets, adding that she thinks her beau finds her ‘quite exhausting’.
The beauty then went on to give an inspirational message to older women looking for love, noting that there was ‘somebody out there’ for everyone.
She urged ladies over 55 to not put themselves ‘on the shelf’, saying that they still have a lot of ‘living to do’ and ‘loving to give, before remarking that they should use her as an example.
Love: Shirley told that she and beau Danny Taylor, 48, do ‘discuss’ the idea of getting married, but have been so busy of late to have had the time to ‘focus on ourselves’ (pictured in 2019)
