Tess Daly: New Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse’s credentials speak for themselves

Strictly Come Dancing host Tess Daly has praised new judge Motsi Mabuse ahead of the series launch, revealing that she is “very happy to welcome another lady” to the BBC One show.

Mabuse, who is the older sister of Strictly professional Oti, was announced as Darcey Bussell’s replacement after the ballet star confirmed she would be leaving the show after seven years.

“I think she’ll be a really welcome addition to the panel because she’s really on the side of the celebrity,” Daly told Standard Online.

“She’s very encouraging: she takes the view that she’s here to give you critical feedback but also here to hand hold [the celebrities] a little bit and take you through the process.

“Her credentials speak for themselves. She knows what she’s talking about and she’s incredible herself. [Watching her dance] is like hair on the back of the neck stuff!”

She added that she was “very happy to welcome another lady” to the show to keep judges Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood “in check.”

Daly, who hosts the show alongside Claudia Winkleman, said that she was “surprised” that Strictly is among the only primetime TV shows fronted by two women and that she is “absolutely proud” of their work together.

“It’s a pleasure and a privilege to stand there by Claudia’s side on a show that we both absolutely love and that people have taken to their hearts,” she added.

Following Jamie Laing’s departure from the show after sustaining an injury during filming, the host said that she felt “so sorry” for the Made In Chelsea star “because he was just so giddy and delighted to be part of it.

“He tried to soldier on through the group dance and got through it, but he collapsed soon after. I wish him a speedy recovery, and there will be a replacement to step in.”

Daly is backing O2 and the NSPCC’s Net Aware site, which gives parents guidance on apps and social media so that they can help advise their children about online safety.

The TV star, who shares daughters Phoebe, 15, and Amber, 10, with husband Vernon Kay, also addressed her decision not to share photos of her children on social media.

“It wasn’t their choice to be in the public arena, so until they’re old enough to make a decision themselves about that, we decided that we would keep them private.

“They’re too young to know any different really, and that’s something that has worked for us. It works differently for other people, but for us that was a decision that we made early on.”

She added: “As much as we can govern it, we make sure that we have a no phones in bedrooms rule – but I’m under no illusions that I’ll have a 16-year-old next year, and things will get increasingly difficult. So I’m all for learning as much as I can to educate myself.”

O2 and NSPCC have created Net Aware, a website where parents can learn about the latest apps and games and get tips on how to keep their kids safe online.