Entertainment
Motsi Mabuse forced to leave her daughter in Germany while filming Strictly Come Dancing in the UK
Motsi Mabuse is leaving her daughter in Germany with her father this year (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA)
Motsi Mabuse has revealed that she will have to leave her daughter in Germany this year as she comes to the UK to film the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.
The judge, who joined the BBC dancing show in 2019, lives full-time in Germany with her husband Evgenij Voznyuk and their three-year-old daughter.
During previous series, Motsi would come to the UK during the week to film each episode with her daughter before returning home.
But this year she has decided to leave her daughter behind with her dad.
‘She used to [come with me] but now I’m going to keep her at home,’ the star revealed to OK! magazine.
‘I’m only gone for one-and-a-half days, so they can have daddy and baby time – and I get to catch up on sleep!’
Motsi is judging Strictly for the third year (Picture: Tristar Media/Getty Images)
She continued: ‘I’ve taken her to work and she’s seen me and Auntie Oti on TV.
‘I think it’s quite important for a young, black girl growing up in Germany to see that. But I don’t think she takes it in.
‘If you came to my house, you’d see how we live – in a forest, very privately and down-to-earth. So she’s more into our reality.’
Motsi then admitted that being at home more during the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns has meant she’s been taking things easier.
‘Before I had my baby, I would work like crazy,’ said the 40-year-old mum-of-one.
‘Even in the beginning, I thought, “I can do all of this!” But after spending so much time with my daughter because of Covid, it was like watching a flower blossom.
Joining Motsi on the judging panel are Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton du Beke (Picture: BBC/Ray Burmiston)
‘I thought, “It’s not worth being away all the time. No money or anything in this world is worth it,”‘ confessed Motsi.
‘I always work hard, I’ve got my businesses and goals, but my priorities have changed. I’ve realised what I’m going to say no and yes to.’
Joining Motsi on the judging panel this year are head judge Shirley Ballas alongside Craig Revel Horwood and newcomer Anton du Beke.
Making up the Strictly 2021 line-up are Olympian Adam Peaty, former EastEnders star Nina Wadia, comedian Robert Webb, BBC Breakfast host Dan Walker and ex-Coronation Street regular Katie McGlynn.
More: Strictly Come Dancing
Also competing are former rugby player Ugo Monye, actor Greg Wise, Loose Women star and comedian Judi Love, TV presenter AJ Odudu and EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis.
McFly’s Tom Fletcher, Gordon Ramsay’s daughter Tilly Ramsay, Dragons’ Den star Sara Davies, CBBC’s Rhys Stephenson and Bake Off star John Whaite round out the cast for this year.
Strictly Come Dancing starts on BBC One on September 18.
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