Strictly trainer's first haircut since stroke a 'nice distraction'

The husband of a renowned ballroom dancer who needs 24/7 care after suffering a stroke said her first trip to the hairdressers since she fell ill had been a welcome "distraction".

Jane Bullock, who coached professionals for the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, collapsed at her Wolverhampton home on 10 August 2025, after she finished teaching a class.

As a result, the once fit and healthy dancer lost half her sight and all the movement on the left side of her body, meaning she is often restricted to her bed.

Her husband Warren said her life had "completely changed" and it had been a difficult time for both of them.

"As time goes on, you start to have a realisation and accept some things, but other things she can't accept," he said.

"It's been a very difficult journey and initially she was up every hour of the night. Neither me nor the 24-hour carer could get any sleep at all."

Warren, who grew up in Stoke-on-Trent, said Jane was someone who took pride in her appearance, so last month he decided to help her dye her hair.

"I've probably not done a brilliant job," he admitted, "but I went for it."

He then took her to Wow Hair in Wolverhampton, realising taking her out of the house was a "bit of a distraction for her".

"It was just to try and make her feel a bit like she used to, just to give her a bit of a lift," Warren said.

"She's always been very fashionable and takes a lot of care over her appearance. I just wanted to make her feel nice, really."

Warren said it came amid a "relentless" time for Jane, himself and the carers.

He said he always tried to be "positive", adding that he often took comfort in cuddling their dogs.

"Jane's in a hospital bed, with rails on the side," Warren said, "so you can't really even cuddle properly, not like the way we did before.

"It has been really hard, but not as hard as it has been for her."

The couple have run ZigZag Dance Factory at their home for more than 30 years and both of them starred in the Netflix reality series Baby Ballroom.

But Warren said he could be forced to sell their home as a "last resort" due to the amount of money it costs for Jane's care.

Jane has five physio sessions every week, two from the NHS and Warren said he paid for a further three, while the carers cost £1,640 per week.

He set up a Go Fund Me page in June, which has so far raised more than £71,000 in donations towards paying for Jane's care.

"Nobody's got a spare £2,000-a-week coming in... and there's just no way I could cope on my own," Warren added.

He said he was "genuinely shocked" and "incredibly grateful" for the donations, which had come in from across the world.

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