What is COPD and what are its symptoms?

COPD is a lung condition causing breathlessness. Symptoms include persistent cough, wheezing, and increased mucus production.

How did Shirley Ballas help her mother with choking?

Shirley Ballas was present during two choking incidents and managed to soothe and calm her mother, helping her airways reopen.

Where do Shirley Ballas and her mother live?

Shirley Ballas and her mother reside together in south east London.

Home / Health / Strictly Judge's Mum Battles Deadly Lung Disease

Strictly Judge's Mum Battles Deadly Lung Disease

18 Nov

•

Summary

Shirley Ballas twice saved her 88-year-old mother from choking.
Her mother, Audrey, has been diagnosed with COPD, a lung condition.
Ballas advocates for equal access to care for the 'invisible disease'.

Strictly Judge's Mum Battles Deadly Lung Disease

Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas has shared the terrifying ordeal of twice saving her 88-year-old mother, Audrey, from choking incidents at their home. Audrey is grappling with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a debilitating lung condition diagnosed in 2022, which causes severe breathlessness.

Ballas revealed her initial unfamiliarity with COPD, emphasizing that the disease is often overlooked and can significantly impact daily life. She detailed her mother's struggles, including the constant rattling in her chest and moments of severe breathing difficulty, despite Audrey's remarkably resilient spirit. This has spurred Ballas to become an advocate for greater awareness and equal access to care for COPD patients.

The Strictly star is also raising awareness about the symptoms of COPD, encouraging those with persistent coughs or breathlessness to seek medical advice. Ballas highlights the importance of early diagnosis and proper management, especially given the condition's prevalence and the stress it places on both patients and their families.