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Shirley Ballas has said she "almost died" after she choked on a fish bone moments before the Strictly Come Dancing Blackpool special.

The 65-year-old judge on the BBC One dance show has said she struggled to breathe for "20 minutes" backstage at the famous Tower Ballroom on Saturday (November 22) night as the show relocated to the town for one weekend only.

Shirley told how hermake-up artist Jane Burstow came to her rescue and dislodged the fish bone by performing the Heimlich manoeuvre, with the 'Queen of Latin' saying the show would have been a "judge down" if it was not for Jane.

Recalling the "terrifying" moment to fans on Instagram, Shirley - who judges on Strictly Come Dancing with Craig Revel Horwood, 60, Motsi Mabuse, 44, and 59 year old Anton Du Beke - said

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