Shirley Ballas is overwhelmed by support from fans after sharing poignant tribute to her late brother David 20 years after he died

Shirley Ballas was inundated with support from fans after she shared a very touching tribute to her late brother David on Tuesday.

The 63-year-old ballroom dancing legend remembered his brother and sister 20 years after his death: he committed suicide in 2003 at the age of 44.

The Strictly judge took to Instagram this afternoon and shared a gallery of photos of herself and David.

She accompanied the pictures with an emotional caption and wrote: “20 years ago today, my dearest brother David committed suicide. I lost my brother, my protector and my best friend. I will always remember the terrible knock on the front door. I can still picture the police standing there and I just knew something was wrong.”

“Mrs. Rich,” they said. I stepped aside and my mother stepped forward. From that moment on, our worlds collapsed. How time flies, dear David. Where have the years gone…you are truly missed every day.”

The former dancer continued with her heartfelt caption: “I will never know why you left, but my mom and I talk about you often and you are never forgotten.” Mary, your beautiful daughter, is very proud of you. She is strong, beautiful and brings us so much joy.”

“My work for @calmzone and @suicideandco will continue and you will be at the forefront of my thoughts. My Skyathlon was for you, David. I zipped up, went on the wings and skydived for you, David.”

She continued: “I will continue to support those in dark places as I have learned over the years that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Continue to rest in peace, David. Mom and I miss you very much.”

Shirley concluded with some helpful contacts: “For anyone experiencing difficulties, please contact @calmzone confidentially on 0800 58 58 58. And for family and friends needing support after the loss of a loved one, please contact @ Counseling Service suicideandco. call 0800 054 8400.”

Fans and friends were quick to comment on Shirley’s heartbreaking post, expressing their support.

Australian professional dancer Diane Buswell said: “Sending love ❤️.”

Celebrity friends Ashley Roberts and James Jordan shared plenty of red heart and praying emojis, as did Kai Widdrington.

Her other Strictly co-stars proved their emotional support, with Claudia Winkleman adding plenty of heart emojis and professional dancer Graziano Di Prima sharing the same, along with some crying emojis.

The Suicide&Co account reads: “Sending so much love to you and your loved ones today and always, Shirley. Please know that we are here for you and everyone affected by suicide. We are so proud to work with you to spread the message that everyone has the right to grieve.”

Anti-suicide campaign CalmZone also wrote under Shirley’s post: “Our thoughts are with you and your family today, Shirley.

“Thank you for everything you continue to do for CALM. You have made a vital contribution to David’s memory.”

One fan spoke about the star’s loss and said: “I lost my best friend just over 10 years ago and it still feels like it was yesterday.” I’m so sorry Shirley for sending you so much love ❤️ grief is not linear at all.”

Shirley recently revealed the method she uses to deal with the “staggering” amount of trolling.

The ballroom sensation was considering not returning to Strictly Come Dancing 2023 following extortionate hate from vile trolls online.

Shirley joined the judging panel as head judge in 2017, replacing the late Len Goodman.

But while she called her role the “icing on the cake” of her career, the violence that came with it was extremely difficult to cope with.

She said Sunday Times: “This is my seventh episode as head judge.

“I think I’m getting stronger over the years, but last year the trolling got to me: it was bad. I think I was just overwhelmed.

“This year I hired a young man called Harry to handle all my social media and it’s been amazing.”

Hiring someone else to manage her social media accounts means Shirley doesn’t view negative comments.

Shirley, from Merseyside, danced professionally from the age of 15 to 36 before becoming a dance coach and judge.

Social media messages directed at her – many of which were threatening or sexual in nature – meant she was afraid to leave her own home and left her fearful of people “hiding in dark corners or hiding behind walls”.

Appearing on Olivia Attwood vs. the Trolls in October, she said: “People were carrying coffins with me in them and someone with a shovel was saying, ‘Die, bitch.’

“This is when it comes to me and my family personally and it affects my mental health. I’m not just talking about your phone.

Although she eventually returned for the 2023 series, Shirley hinted that she was considering not returning due to the torrent of vile online abuse she received during the last series.

In a candid interview, she indicated that the previous series may have been her last as she hit an “all-time low” after the violence “got out of control.”

The ballroom dancer described how after every performance she cried constantly and struggled silently, saying it was the “most negativity” she had ever encountered.

She said Mirror: “Last year was difficult for me. It wasn’t just a little, it was a lot – most of it happened in silence. I felt that the abuse was out of control and had a negative impact on me. I’m a pretty stoic person and tend to keep things to myself.”

She explained that when the abuse started it felt “bigger than anything else” and the star revealed it left her “crying and worrying” while she was “embarrassed” about her feelings and to no one didn’t admit it.

Shirley added: “And it was an all-time low since I joined the show – it was the most negative experience I’ve ever had.” The BBC were great, checking in with me and offering advice and support.”

When asked if she had thought about leaving Strictly, she said: “It’s been a difficult show, I’ll leave it at that… Will I go back to Strictly? I always take it one step at a time.”

She went on to say that she “really loves” her job and if she just judged without any trolling, it would be the most “rewarding” job she could imagine.

The Latin queen went on to say that after Strictly ended in 2022, she “took a break” from television to “refocus” on her own industry as well as “protect her sanity.”

She revealed the shocking scale of messages she received, with one in five hateful, saying the thousands of comments she received every time she sent someone home were “really terrible”.

She added that she has been accused of not liking young people or old people, men or women, noting that “no matter” what she does, she will “never be able to win.”

However, she proudly stated that she stuck to her decisions and never “regretted” sending anyone home because of how they performed at the dance, noting that she could “sleep at night” with her choices.