RHS to Rotherham: Strictly star adds sparkle to opening of Chelsea Flower show garden

The TV launch show may have been a day or two away when Strictly Come Dancing star Shirley Ballas came to Rotherham - but the head judge had no hesitation in awarding a top score to the Asthma + Lung UK’s Chelsea Flower show garden at the official opening of its permanent home.

The Asthma + Lung UK Breathing Space garden was a hit with judges at the world famous RHS flower show in May this year – awarded a silver medal overall and commended in the Environmental Innovation award category.

And following the end of the 2026 show, the garden completed a 160-mile journey from London to Rotherham to transform the outdoor space at Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust's Breathing Space in East Dene that cares for NHS patients with respiratory conditions.

In the months since then work to plant the garden at the specialist healthcare site on Badsley Moor Lane has continued, supported by volunteers from partner organisations, local businesses and the local community, Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity and Breathing Space patients themselves.

And it was a hit with Shirley Ballas, head judge on the BBC talent show, who is supporting the Breathe Equal campaign with Sanofi.

At the ribbon-cutting the global Ballroom and Latin champion told guests, staff, patients and dignitaries including the Mayor of Rotherham Cllr Haroon Rashid she had admired the garden previously in its illustrious surroundings at the five-day event in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

“I have been going to the Chelsea Flower Show for the last eight years,” she said, “and when I visited this Breathing Space garden it really was unique and extremely special.

“In eight years (of attending), this is by far the most beautiful garden I have seen.

“It is absolutely fantastic, a place of peace and of tranquillity and I am delighted to be here today to officially open it in its permanent home in Rotherham.”

The world-renowned dance teacher and coach lives with and cares for her 89-year-old mum who was diagnosed in 2022 with Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Shirley, who as well as her TV work is also a best-selling author, said: “I had never heard of COPD before my mum's diagnosis and no-one in the dancing community had either when I first mentioned it.

“I am determined to do all I can to get funding, to raise awareness by going to the Houses of Parliament with Sanofi, to challenge the stigma as well as address the health inequalities in deprived areas all across the country.”

The new series of Strictly Come Dancing - the 24th of the flagship BBC show saw this year's line-up of celebrities and professional dancers take to the stage last Saturday night.

Speaking just a few days before the hit show returned, head judge Shirley - famous for her catchphrase “It's never too early for a 10 from Shirley” - added: “The launch show is this weekend and, while I can't say whether I will be giving out any tens any time soon, I can say this garden certainly gets a ten from me.”

For more information on COPD, visit www.asthmaandlung.org.uk.