Strictly judge Shirley Ballas sparks concern as she’s ill in bed days before live show

Strictly's head judge Shirley Ballas sent fans into panic when she revealed she was ill in bed after returning from a trip to Rome.

The 63-year-old ballroom legend said she suspected she'd picked up a bug on her holiday but was hoping a bit of rest would see her fighting fit in time for Saturday night's show.

The Queen of Latin luckily had her devoted mum Audrey, 86, on hand to take care of her, bringing her some comfort food to her sick bed.

Filming herself in a dark room wearing a dressing gown in bed, Shirley revealed she was using her resting time wisely – researching "the best air fryers".

“What a difference a day makes," she said. "So, back from Rome where it was busy, lots of people and then in the studio because we are running up to the Royal Albert Hall international championships.

“And yes I think I have caught something. So not very well today, not in work. Want to rest and make sure I’m ready for Strictly on Saturday.”

Keeping herself busy, the dance icon asked fans to help her with a bit of online shopping by recommending the best air fryer to buy.

She revealed she'd been told by a cheeky friend that "my mum and I wouldn't burn our bacon and our roasties as often if we had an air fryer, so help me out".

Keen to help her daughter get better, Shirley's mum Audrey brought her eggs, tea and toast in bed.

"Feeling poo poo but mum makes you two boiled eggs in your favourite little pot with feet – and some toast, but I never eat toast," Shirley told her fans. "And some black tea. What would I do without my mum? Feeling blessed."

On Tuesday, Shirley paid tribute to her "hero" mum Audrey on her 86th birthday, posting an adorable set of photos of the pair of them, as well as some of a glamorous Audrey in her younger years.

She wrote on her socials, " Mum, I just couldn’t have done anything in my life without your support. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you."

She continued, "You are kind, caring, loving, generous and always there for me through the good and the bad times. You always seeing the glass half full when I don’t even see the glass."

Shirley, who recently unveiled the incredible results of her facelift, also discussed the calibre of this year's Strictly line up, describing it as "phenomenal", and joking "I actually think all of them will be staying until the Final, they're all that good."

Saturday's Strictly show will be the first live episode of the series. Speaking earlier this week about the performances that have stood out the most to her, Shirley said Kelvin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse had set the bar very high.

"I think it would have to be Kelvin Fletcher’s Samba with Oti in Week 1 in 2019," she revealed. "I really don’t know how it could be topped! He has this big smile on his face and his bright blue shirt. It was absolutely outstanding and also technically astonishing – definitely one to remember."

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