Strictly's Shirley Ballas undergoing cancer tests after finding lump

Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has revealed she is being tested for cancer after a lump was found in her shoulder.

The 60-year-old dance teacher contracted coronavirus in March this year. While she was being treated for the after-effects, doctors discovered a "cyst or tumour" between two bones of her shoulder that is currently being investigated.

Ballas told GB News: "I got the Covid virus and then they found a ganglion cyst or a tumour in my shoulder.

"I am going backwards and forwards to the hospital all the time. I feel I seem to be getting sicker by the minute. I can't seem to get up and out. It's something between two bones and they are not really sure what it is yet.

"They have done the dye and the MRIs plus this and that. I get the results in a few weeks. The gentleman seems to think it will be fine but, still, it is worrying."

The former dance champion had her DD breast implants removed in 2019 after discovering a growth on her chest.

There is a history of cancer in Ballas's family. Her mother Audrey was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2019, and her grandmother and aunt have also battled the illness.

Earlier this month the Strictly star – who has conducted live dance classes online during the lockdowns – wrote on social media: "Good morning, how’s your day going? Mine started with the hospital visit.

"So here we go again, in the hospital, with a shoulder and arm [problem] and I’m trying to find out what it is."

Ballas had her first Covid vaccine in February, but then contracted coronavirus in March.

She admitted she had suffered the effects of long Covid, saying: "I couldn’t get my act together, and that is not like me.

"I’m usually up at seven in the morning, going here and there. So it was quite an experience and it has left that tiring effect."

In April she shared the sad loss of her father George Rich at the age of 83.

Watch: Shirley Ballas backstage at Strictly Come Dancing