Shirley Ballas looked in high spirits on Sunday, as she attended a hangar party at Heathrow Airport, for Dreamflight’s charity trip.
The Strictly Come Dancing judge, 64, looked the picture of sophistication in a cream coat, layered over a matching jumper and collared shirt.
The former dancer sported a full face of glamorous makeup and a voluminous blowdry as she chatted to several of the children, eagerly awaiting their specially chartered British Airways jet to Florida.
Dreamflight is a UK charity that takes children with a serious illness or disability on their holiday of a lifetime to Orlando.
Shirley also posed alongside many famous characters, including Darth Vader and Chewbacca, ahead of Sunday night’s results show, where the fifth celebrity will be eliminated from the competition.
Shirley Ballas looked in high spirits on Sunday, as she attended a hangar party at Heathrow Airport, for Dreamflight’s charity trip
The Strictly Come Dancing judge, 64, looked the picture of sophistication in a cream coat, layered over a matching jumper and collared shirt
The former dancer sported a full face of glamorous makeup and a voluminous blowdry as she chatted to several of the children, eagerly awaiting their specially chartered British Airways jet to Florida
Her appearance at the charity event comes fellow Strictly star Amy Dowden was rushed to hospital on Saturday evening after collapsing backstage following the live show.
The Wesh ballroom dancer, 34, who is understood to be in remission after battling breast cancer, returned to the show following a two year absence in September.
But paramedics were called to the show’s Hertfordshire base after 9:00pm on Saturday evening following reports of a ‘medical emergency.’
A spokesperson for the East of England Ambulance Service said: ‘We were called just after 9pm on Saturday to attend a medical emergency at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood.
‘An ambulance was sent to the scene. One patient, an adult female, was transported to Barnet Hospital for further care.’
Moments earlier the dancer had performed the Foxtrot to Toploader hit Dancing In The Moonlight with her celebrity partner, JLS star JB Gill.
But fans noted the dancer was partially seated during her latest performance.
The pair climbed to number five on the Strictly leaderboard after being awarded a collective score of 32 from show judges Shirley, Craig Revel-Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.
Dreamflight is a UK charity that takes children with a serious illness or disability on their holiday of a lifetime to Orlando
Shirley also posed alongside many famous characters, including Darth Vader and Chewbacca, ahead of Sunday night’s results show, where the fifth celebrity will be eliminated from the competition
A statement from Amy’s spokesperson confirmed: ‘Amy was feeling unwell and so an ambulance was called as a precaution.
‘She is feeling much better and would like to thank the Strictly family for their love and concern.
‘We request Amy’s privacy in matters of health is kindly respected.’
Amy’s world came crashing down when she was diagnosed with cancer the day after she came home from her honeymoon with dancer husband Ben Jones in 2023.
While she hoped it could be cured by surgery, two months later in June doctors found another type of cancer.
In what became the toughest year of her life, the professional dancer underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy, fertility treatment and also almost died of sepsis.
Amy, who also battles Crohn’s disease, confirmed she was cancer-free in February.
While she will not get the all-clear for five years and will still need treatment, she thanked her family and friends for their support amid her ‘toughest year’.
Her appearance at the charity event comes fellow Strictly star Amy Dowden was rushed to hospital on Saturday evening after collapsing backstage following the live show (pictured on show with partner JB Gill)
The Welsh ballroom dancer, 34, who is understood to be in remission after battling breast cancer , returned to the show following a two year absence in September
Moments before the emergency she performed the Foxtrot to Toploader hit Dancing In The Moonlight with her celebrity partner
But fans noted the dancer was partially seated during her latest performance (pictured)
The pair climbed to number five on the leaderboard after being awarded a collective score of 32 from show judges Shirley, Craig Revel-Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke
Sharing a jubilant picture with Instagram followers, she wrote: ‘NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE! Words I dreamed of! My biggest accomplishment yet!
‘I won’t be getting the all clear for 5 years especially with a hormone fed cancer. But it was all worth it. Words I never thought I’d hear at one point.
‘So grateful for all the care I received and continue to have. To my husband, family and friends who supported me unconditionally and to you guys! Thank you!’
She continued: ‘I will still need a monthly injection for 5 years and regular check ups. Chemo and this past year has certainly took its toll on my body both physically and mentally, so I’ll be taking the next few months to heal and recover.
‘I have so much to strive and live for, and so grateful for another chance at life! Something I know not all get. I certainly see life differently and my life has changed forever!
‘Cancer affects too many so I will continue to do all I can to raise awareness and make sure I get as many as I can to.
‘It’s time to look ahead after what’s been the toughest year, and one I certainly didn’t expect! Dance floor I’m coming for you! Welsh love, always Amy x.’
Amy had previously documented her cancer battle in a fly-on-the-wall BBC documentary, Strictly Amy: Cancer And Me.
Amy’s world came crashing down when she was diagnosed with cancer the day after she came home from her honeymoon with dancer husband Ben Jones in 2023
The dancer, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023 and also battles Crohn’s disease, confirmed she was cancer-free in February
After shaving her head and inspiring others after she appeared on Strictly without a wig, Amy admitted she had been targeted by online trolls
She has confessed that the thought of losing her job on Strictly Come Dancing was her greatest fear
Filmed over 15-months, the show followed Amy as she navigated surgery, chemotherapy, fertility treatment, and an uncertain future.
She said of the documentary, which aired in August: ‘A year ago I was recently married and about to go on honeymoon, it was an exciting new chapter in my life, but finding a lump on my breast changed my life.
‘I never thought at my age I would get cancer and, despite having family members and friends who were cancer survivors, had no idea just what the impact on my life would be.
‘I’ve learnt so much about myself and what a cancer diagnosis means on this journey. I hope others find hope and strength from this film, and that it encourages everyone to check themselves, no matter what age you are.’
During the show, Amy also revealed she was rushed back to hospital with a second cancer scare as doctors were concerned about abnormalities in her breast after a check-up.
She told viewers: ‘It was a scare, such a worrying time. I’ll never forget them calling me to say we’re sorry but we’ve seen something we don’t like the look of.
‘I was in disbelief, I thought I can’t go back through this again, I can’t miss Strictly again. My whole family were heartbroken.’
After shaving her head and inspiring others after she appeared on Strictly without a wig, Amy admitted she had been targeted by online trolls.
Amy had previously documented her cancer battle in a fly-on-the-wall BBC documentary, Strictly Amy: Cancer And Me
Filmed over 15-months, the show followed her as she navigated surgery, chemotherapy, fertility treatment, and an uncertain future
While she was supported by her parents, husband Ben and her Strictly family, the dancer also admitted even some of her friends who attended her wedding lost contact after her diagnosis.
She said: ‘When I had to tell Strictly, I was asking “Can I keep my job?” because that was the scariest thing.
‘To dance at the highest level, you have to be as fit as an athlete. I was scared about how treatment would affect my body.’
Discussing how her treatment wiped her out she added: ‘I was gutted. It completely wiped me out for Strictly. I was heartbroken because I wanted to be on the dance floor.’
In July, Amy paid an emotional tribute to her husband as she celebrated their second wedding anniversary.
Alongside a selection of stunning photos from their wedding day, she wrote: ‘Happy 2nd anniversary! I think it’s fair to say we’ve been through quite a bit during married life. But I’m forever grateful for you!
‘Thank you for this past year! I know at times it’s been so tough for you to watch but you kept positive, kept the house clean away from infections and tried to keep me as positive as possible.
‘I love you even more! Let’s hope for a smoother year ahead! But what I do know is we have each other!
‘More adventures, my crazy last min plans, house renovations, dance school fun and basically just us being us! Love you always.’
During the show, Amy revealed she was rushed back to hospital with a second cancer scare as doctors were concerned about abnormalities in her breast after a check-up
In July, Amy paid an emotional tribute to her husband as she celebrated their second wedding anniversary