Strictly Come Dancing is the nation’s favourite Saturday night show and quite frankly, the only reason we’re looking forward to the autumn/winter season. But this year, the show is set to undergo a major change as fan favourite judge, Dame Darcey Bussell, will no longer be there.
However, fear not, because the BBC has just announced her replacement and we for one, are very excited. Introducing: Motsi Mabuse.
Recognise the surname? That’s because Motsi is the sister of Oti Mabuse, a professional dancer on the show. She will be joining the judging panel alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Bruno Tonioli and Shirley Ballas in the upcoming season.
Just like her sister, Motsi is a successful dancer with impressive accolades including the title of South African Champion and German Latin Champion in 2009 and 2010. She has spent the past eight years working on Let’s Dance, the German version of Strictly Come Dancing, and will be making the move over this summer to kick off her debut on the BBC show in September.
Commenting on her new gig, Motsi said: ‘I am absolutely overjoyed to be joining the Strictly judging panel. I have so much respect and admiration for the other three judges and hope to add my own bit of sparkle to the show. I can’t wait to get started!’
Motsi will be replacing Darcy, who announced that she was leaving the show back in April due to ‘many’ other commitments.
‘It has been a complete privilege for me to be part of Strictly, working with such a talented team,’ she explained in an Instagram post. ‘I have enjoyed every minute of my time and will miss everyone from my fellow judges, the presenters, the dancers, the musicians, the entire back stage team, and especially the viewers of the show, who have been so supportive.’
She continued: ‘I am not leaving because of any upset or disagreement at all, I am just stepping away to give more focus to my many other commitments in dance, after seven truly wonderful years that I can’t imagine having gone any better.’
