{"id":481236,"date":"2025-10-07T21:15:29","date_gmt":"2025-10-07T21:15:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/481236\/"},"modified":"2025-10-07T21:15:29","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T21:15:29","slug":"shirley-ballas-pays-heartfelt-tribute-to-strictly-come-dancing-star-after-his-death-aged-46","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/481236\/","title":{"rendered":"Shirley Ballas pays heartfelt tribute to Strictly Come Dancing star after his death aged 46"},"content":{"rendered":"

By SEAN O’GRADY, SENIOR SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 14:05 EDT, 7 October 2025 | Updated: 14:15 EDT, 7 October 2025 <\/p>\n

Shirley Ballas<\/a> has paid a heartfelt tribute to a star of Strictly<\/a> Come Dancing South Africa<\/a> after his death aged 46.<\/p>\n

The professional dancer, 65, took to Instagram to pay her respects to Michael Wentwick who worked as a judge on the South African version of the show.<\/p>\n

Shirley was very close with Michael and described him as being ‘like family’ and a ‘kind, caring soul’.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘His loyalty and love were unmatched, and his smile was irreplaceable,’ she wrote.<\/p>\n

‘He spent many days at my house, he loved the children and would forever be checking in. One of the kindest souls I’ve had the pleasure of crossing paths with.’\u00a0<\/p>\n

Shirley shared several snaps of Michael including one of him in a bright suit and wrote: ‘I’ll never forget suggesting this aqua suit to Michael, and he just laughed saying, ‘Let’s give it a go, Shirls.’ @alanate11 did hair and as a team we all pulled it together so very beautifully.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Shirley <\/p>\n

Shirley Ballas has paid a heartfelt tribute to a star of Strictly Come Dancing South Africa after his death aged 46<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The professional dancer, 65, took to Instagram to pay her respects to Michael Wentwick (right) who worked as a judge on the South African version of the show<\/p>\n

‘Michael and Beata danced magnificently and won. That’s a day I’ll carry with me forever. You touched so many lives, Michael, and I’m blessed to have been one of them.<\/p>\n

‘With a heavy heart, I’ll miss you deeply. Rest in peace, my friend, alongside your beautiful Beata. Forever in our hearts. X’.<\/p>\n

Several people commented on Shirley’s post including Pussycat Dolls star Ashley Roberts who wrote: ‘Sending love. Love watching you dance.’<\/p>\n

Lizzie Cundy added: ‘So sorry for your loss,’ while Strictly dancer Karen Hauer sent a broken heart emoji.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Michael’s death was confirmed by his friend Ralf Lepehne in a moving tribute shared on social media.<\/p>\n

‘[Michael] left us far too soon and the loss is immeasurable,’ he wrote.<\/p>\n

‘His passing is a painful reminder that the brightest lights often cast the deepest shadows, and that the strongest among us can be fighting battles we cannot see.<\/p>\n

‘Yet behind the trophies and the spotlight was the man we knew and loved\u2014a dear friend and partner, a kind soul whose light touched our lives deeply.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Shirley <\/p>\n

Shirley was very close with Michael and described him as being ‘like family’ and a ‘kind, caring soul’ (seen in a video she shared of him dancing)<\/p>\n

\"\" \"Shirley <\/p>\n

Shirley said Michael was ‘pne of the kindest souls I’ve had the pleasure of crossing paths with’<\/p>\n

\"Several <\/p>\n

Several people commented on Shirley’s post including Pussycat Dolls star Ashley Roberts who wrote: ‘Sending love. Love watching you dance’<\/p>\n

‘For years, he was engaged in a long and deeply private struggle, battling the relentless weight of depression with a quiet courage known only to those closest to him.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘While our world is dimmer without him, Michael\u2019s spirit, his laughter, and his profound passion for dance will live on in our hearts forever.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘May you finally find the peace you so deserved, Michael. \u2764’<\/p>\n

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