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Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse doesn’t know (or care) if she’s paid the same as the other judges


New Strictly Come Dancing judge Moti Mabuse is replacing Darcey Bussell on the panel of the show (Picture: Lia Toby/Getty Images)

Motsi Mabuse is gearing up for her debut as the newest judge on Strictly Come Dancing, but will she be paid the same as her co-stars?

After replacing the out-going Darcey Bussell, Motsi – the older sister of professional dancer and Greatest Dancer coach Oti Mabuse – Moti is an already experienced judge on the German equivalent of Strictly, Let’s Dance.

Strictly already has a storied history of controversies with its judges; from the barbed comments of Craig Revel Horwood to the sacking of Arlene Phillips for the younger Alesha Dixon. A topic that is particularly prevalent in today’s social climate is equal pay, something that Moti doesn’t seem too worried about at present.

Speaking to the Radio Times ahead of her Strictly debut, Motsi says that she doesn’t know (or indeed care) if she’s paid the same as the other judges on the panel; Craig, Bruno Tonioli and head judge Shirley Ballas.

‘I don’t care,’ Motsi revealed. ‘Because, for me, it’s just such an honour being here. It doesn’t concern me right now. I’m just concentrating on doing a good job.’

Motsi does, however, believe that she is receiving equal pay to her previous job in Germany on Let’s Dance.

I would say yes,’ Motsi continues. ‘It took almost eight years, you know, to me literally, last year, saying, “Guys, what’s happening?” I’m involved because I think it’s important. But for now, I’m just coming in [to Strictly] and I can’t come in with fireballs.’

The Strictly Come Dancing judging panel with new addition Motsi Mabuse (Picture: Getty)
Read Motsi Mabuse’s full interview in this week’s Radio Times (Picture: Radio Times)

In the interview, Motsi also says that she’s not adverse in helping to mix up the Strictly formula. There have been consistent calls over the past few years for the show to introduce same-sex partnerships, although it hasn’t happened yet, nor will it happen for this year’s new series.

Strictly is probably aware of the changes that are happening socially,” Motsi says. ‘In Germany, we’ve completely gone that way. We’ve had two ladies dance together. The worst thing you can do is stay on the same spot. I respect traditions but you need to keep developing.’ 

The cast for this year’s Strictly – featuring former Corrie actress Catherine Tyldesley, Radio 1 DJ Dev Griffin and all-around TV legend Anneka Rice – do not have long to wait to take to the floor.

The show’s launch episode, where we find out which celebrity is partnered with which professional dancer, will air on Saturday September 7, with the new couples taking to the floor for the first time on Saturday 21st September.

Strictly Come Dancing will start on Saturday 7th September at 7pm on BBC One. 

MORE: Shirley Ballas teases ‘unpredictable set of pairings’ ahead of Strictly Come Dancing launch

MORE: When is the Strictly Come Dancing launch show and have the pairings been revealed yet?





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