Shirley Ballas pays tribute to brother David on 20-year anniversary

The Strictly Come Dancing judge lost her brother David in 2003 and in August she completed a series of extreme tasks in support of the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) charity.

The challenges included riding the world’s fastest zipline, wing walking 700ft in the air and skydiving over Peterborough.

Shirley Ballas facing her fear of heights by taking on a 13,000ft skydive at UK Parachuting, Sibson Airfield, Wansford, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire (Image: PA)

Ballas’ Just Giving page has raised over £45,000 for CALM and the amount continues to increase.

When the Globe spoke to the 62-year-old earlier this year, she spoke about her brother and said “anyone who is suffering we are here for them.”

In talking about three new challenges she is preparing to do next year, she added: "I am asking the general public to get in touch and put forward three more challenges for me to do because I think it could be quite interesting to see what they come up with.

"I knew I had to do things that would make people think I was crazy. I lost my brother and good friend to suicide, it's more prevalent then you think.”

'You are never forgotten'

Today, Tuesday, Ballas posted a selection of photos of her and her brother David, with a tribute to her “protector and best friend” who is “truly missed on a daily basis”.

She wrote: “20 years ago today my dearest brother David took his own life. I lost my brother, my protector and my best friend. I’ll remember the dreaded knock on the front door forever.

“I can still picture the police officers standing there and I just knew something was wrong. 'Mrs Rich' they said. I stepped aside and my mother stepped forward. From that moment, our worlds came crashing down.

Shirley and her mum with a picture of David (Image: @shirleyballas, Instagram)

“How time flies dearest David. Where have the years gone… you are truly missed on a daily basis. I’ll never really know why you went, but my mother and I talk about you often and you are never forgotten.

“Mary, your beautiful daughter, is doing you so very proud. She is strong, beautiful and she brings us so much joy. My work for @calmzone and @suicideandco will continue with you in the forefront of my mind. My Skyathlon was for you David. I zip lined, wing walked and I skydived for you David. I’ll continue to support others who are in dark places as I have learnt over the years there is light at the end of the tunnel.

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A post shared by Shirley Ballas (@shirleyballas)

“Continue to rest in peace David. Mum and I miss you so very much. Xxx”

Ballas continued: “For anyone struggling, please reach out in confidence to @calmzone on 0800 58 58 58.

“And for family and friends who need support after losing a loved one, please reach out to @suicideandco’s counselling service on 0800 054 8400”