EXCLUSIVE: Shirley Ballas has confessed she has no plans to take on any panto roles so she can spend more time with her family after her own health scares

Shirley Ballas has revealed her cancer scare has made her want to do less work.

The Strictly judge, 63, feared the worst when she discovered lumpy tissue in her left breast late last year. It was a false alarm, but it has still changed her perspective on life.

She told the Daily Star: “I’m learning as I get older to spend a little more face time with family. Times with people you care about are the most important times you’ll ever have.

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“Everything else is secondary. We come in with nothing, we’re leaving with nothing… just the memories.”

Shirley has turned down a string of lucrative jobs including deals to do stints in panto. It’s so she can spend more precious time with mum Audrey.

Shirley Ballas has been turning down offers to do panto (Image: PA)
She added: “I won’t do panto while my mum is still with me, I always spend Christmas with her. I’ve got lots of things I want to do with her. We’ve got a little bucket list going on.

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“I want to go and see the giraffes on a safari where they come in and have breakfast with you. That would be amazing.”

Shirley is still going for regular check ups for cancer to make sure she is in good health. She said: “I think it’s so important to get checked. I’ve just had another friend who’s passed away at 41 in the United States.

“You just can’t put anything that’s to do with your health off, to give yourself the best chance.”

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