Mabuse said she was “thrilled and overjoyed” to be joining Strictly
Motsi Mabuse, elder sister of Strictly Come Dancing star Oti, has been named as Dame Darcey Bussell’s replacement on the BBC One show’s judging panel.
Originally from South Africa, Motsi is a former South African champion and German Latin champion and a judge on Strictly Come Dancing’s German version.
Mabuse, 38, said she was “absolutely overjoyed” to be joining the panel and hoped to “add her own bit of sparkle”.
Her sister Oti has been a professional on four editions of the hit BBC show.
Charlotte Moore, director of BBC Content, said Motsi Mabuse would be “a brilliant addition to the show” when it returns for its 17th series later this year.
“She is a wonderful dancer in her own right and already has years of experience as a judge under her belt,” she continued. “We’re all looking forward to welcoming her to the Strictly family.”
Sarah James, Strictly’s executive producer, echoed her sentiments, saying the new judge’s “natural warmth, energy and passion for dance” would make her “the perfect addition”.
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Mabuse with fellow Let’s Dance judges Jorge Gonzalez and Joachim Llambi
Mabuse started out as a professional dancer and competed on Let’s Dance, the German version of Strictly, before becoming one of its judges.
She will join Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel-Horwood and Bruno Tonioli on the BBC show’s panel.
Writing on Instagram, Mabuse said Let’s Dance would “always have a place in her heart” and that she would not be “going anywhere soon”.
“Exciting times ahead,” she continued, adding: “I can’t wait to meet all of @bbcstrictly team.”
Oti – recently seen as a dance captain on BBC One’s The Greatest Dancer – has been confirmed as one of the professional dancers on Strictly this year.
The 28-year-old previously competed on two seasons of Let’s Dance when her sister was a judge.
In the 2016 season, Oti and her celebrity partner were among the first to be eliminated, thanks in part to a score of three out of 10 from her sister.
Oti has described sister as her first coach and an inspiration for her own dance career.
The younger Mabuse responded to her sibling’s new role with a “Yayyy!!!” and a typographical rendition of the hit show’s theme tune.
Strictly professional Katya Jones said Mabuse was “a brilliant choice“, while her husband Neil called her “one [of] the greatest female dancers of her time”.
Zoe Ball, host of Strictly’s sister show It Takes Two, said Mabuse would be “fierce and fabulous”.
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