Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas thanks viewers for 'lump' alert

Ballas has been Strictly's head judge since 2017

Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has thanked the BBC One show's viewers for helping her discover "concerning" symptoms in her body.

The TV star said several viewers had got in touch to say they thought they had spotted a lump under her arm.

She said she sought medical advice and has discovered her hormone levels are "not right" and she needs some scans.

"All in all a little concerning for my doctor," she said, adding that she had made a hospital appointment.

Motsi Mabuse (second from left) was among those to send words of support

She wrote on Instagram that her doctor was "making an appointment to check certain odd things happening in my body".

She added: "I'll keep you all updated each and every one of you. Remember health is wealth so I'll be on top of these issues for the time being."

The former ballroom champion expressed gratitude "to each and every one of you who started me on this road".

In an accompanying video message, the 61-year-old said tests had shown her testosterone levels to be "ultra-high", her oestrogen levels "extremely low", and that she needs scans on her adrenal glands and ovaries.

The Strictly regular has spoken openly in the past about her family's history with breast cancer and had surgery to have breast implants removed in 2019.

Fellow judge Motsi Mabuse was among those to send messages of support, telling Ballas to "take care of yourself".

Co-host Tess Daly said she was "sending love", sentiments echoed by several other Strictly dancers and celebrity contestants.

Ballas and Mabuse will be seen again on Saturday's Halloween special alongside co-panellists Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke.

This is not the first time eagle-eyed viewers have made observations about on-screen stars that have led to medical treatment.

• In 2018, a GP contacted the BBC's Football Focus show to point out a dark blemish he had seen on former footballer Mark Lawrenson's face. The pundit later revealed the growth had been cancerous and that he had been given the all-clear after having it "whipped out straight away".

• Also in 2018, a neurologist contacted the BBC after noticing technology correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones showed symptoms of Parkinson's disease. He confirmed his diagnosis the following year after more viewers got in touch to say they had noticed his hand was shaking.

• In 2017, Piers Morgan was contacted by a melanoma expert who saw a lesion on his chest while he was filming a documentary about serial killers. The presenter sought advice from a dermatologist and had the blemish removed.

• In 2015, a US nurse contacted cable channel HGTV to tell them Tarek El Moussa, co-host of property show Flip or Flop, had a lump on his neck. Doctors confirmed he had stage-2 thyroid cancer, for which he had treatment.