Featured Image Credit: Instagram/kerri_annedonaldson
Topics: Britains Got Talent, Strictly Come Dancing, TV And Film, Celebrity
Jess Battison
Topics: Britains Got Talent, Strictly Come Dancing, TV And Film, Celebrity
Britain's Got Talent's (BGT) Kerri-Anne Donaldson had preciously opened up about her 'badly hit' career before she tragically died at the age of 38.
Donaldson's death was confirmed yesterday morning, 8 June, with the cause unknown.
She had detailed her struggles on her Medium.com website, writing she had 'felt stuck trying to move on'.
Donaldson appeared on BGT in 2014 as part of dance troupe, Kings and Queens, which also featured Strictly Come Dancing pros, Neil and Katya Jones and Kai Widdrington.
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Many stars paid tribute to Donaldson following the announcement of her death, with Neil posting an image of her to Instagram.
The professional dancer wrote: "Kerri Anne Donaldson - remember that name and please never forget it because it belongs to a woman who loved to dance, create and perform.
"She had the cheekiest laugh and a heart of gold, she hated getting in the car with me, but would always listen to my crazy ideas, we shared so many moments and stories and she was always the voice of reason.
"Kerri you were my friend and like my big sister."
Fellow Strictly star, Janette Manrara, commented: "How sad to see this news. She was a such a lovely person. My heart goes out to all her friends and family during this time."
Kevin Clifton also shared an image of the pair competing in dance competitions together as children, writing: "Absolutely heartbroken. I’ve known Kerri since we were kids and she was always the loveliest girl.
"A friend and a dance partner. I’m glad we got to dance together this xmas. And that the whole cast of Strictly Ballroom got to work with you in rehearsals."
Donaldson bared her soul in her blog posts, writing she was 'stuck in a hamster wheel and trying to move on' after the Covid lockdowns left her struggling financially.
She wrote in 2022: "Behind my very own cherry picked Instagram pictures, lies an ugly truth.
"The last two years have challenged me beyond belief, it’s definitely not all been sunshine and rainbows.
"My career was hit so badly that indeed, it affected my financial situation. My future prospects were put on hold for the foreseeable, and my motivation was becoming harder to maintain.
"I have admittedly had moments of self doubt and anxiety, and I have had to take action to save myself from those dark places that are very hard to return from. So the world wants perfection, and here I am, the furthest thing from it.
"I am now stuck in a hamster wheel, trying to move forward without admitting to anyone, including myself, that my life isn’t as shiny as it seems."
Donaldson and her BGT group made it to the semi-finals of their 2014 series and the dancer had worked on Dancing with the Stars Ireland, as well as choreographing on The Masked Singer.
Last summer, she worked on Strictly Ballroom with friend Clifton and EastEnders star, Maisie Smith.
Her older sister, Cara Donaldson, wrote on Facebook: "My heart hurts and my world has just collapsed around me.
"My beautiful baby sister is no longer with us and I don't know how to process it. I love you Kerri, you're my best friend, we were inseparable and right now I don't know how to fill the void. Be peaceful and hold Nan tight."