Strictly’s Motsi Mabuse admits ‘worries’ for Oti as she talks exit

Strictly Come Dancing star Motsi Mabuse will return to the new series alongside fellow judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood. The 41-year-old joined the panel back in 2019 and watched her younger sister Oti Mabuse, 32, win the Glitterball trophy for the first time with celebrity partner Kelvin Fletcher.

The following year, the unstoppable professional dancer won the show for a second time with comedian Bill Bailey.

After the most recent series, where she danced with Ugo Monye, Oti announced she will be leaving the show after seven years.

When asked about her sister’s exit from the show, Motsi told Prima Magazine: “I’ll be sad not to see her on Strictly this year.

“I’ll always worry about my sister, but I have to respect her decision and let her go.

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Strictly Come Dancing later announced that four new professional dancers will be joining the series this year.

Those newbies are: Vito Coppola, a European cup winner, Carlos Gu, Chinese National Champion, Lauren Oakley, a former Under-21 British National Champion and lastly, Latin dance champion Michelle Tsiakkas.

Professionals who will be returning include; Katya Jones, Dianne Buswell, Giovanni Pernice, Johannes Radebe, Neil Jones and Nadiya Bychkova.

In the running to win this year’s Glitterball trophy are; Will Mellor, Kym Marsh, Richie Anderson, Kaye Adams, Jayde Adams, Ellie Simmonds, Fleur East, James Bye, Molly Rainford, Hamza Yassin, Ellie Taylor and Tony Adams MBE. 

Last year, Giovanni Pernice and the show’s first deaf contestant Rose Ayling-Ellis were crowned the winners.

Read the full interview in Prima’s October issue, on sale 8th September.

It is available in all supermarkets and online at MagsDirect.

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One on September 17th.