Ever since Dame Darcey Bussell announced she was leaving Strictly Come Dancing, the question on every fan’s lips has been who will replace her?

Now, we finally have an answer to that question – Motsi Mabuse is the woman taking up the judge’s seat occupied by ballerina Darcey for the last seven years.

Here’s all you need to know about her dance background and her famous sister.

Who is Motsi Mabuse related to?

The shared surname is no coincidence – Motsi is the elder sister of pro dancer favourite Oti Mabuse.

Oti had been rumoured as a possible replacement for Darcey after her starring role as a judge on The Greatest Dancer earlier in the year, but has said she always wanted to continue dancing on Strictly.

 

The sisters will be the latest addition to the family feel of Strictly’s pro troupe, which has included Kevin Clifton, his sister Joanne, his now ex-wife Karen, and husband and wife Neil and Katya Jones.

Anyone who’s worried Oti’s scores from her sister might suffer from favouritism should know that Motsi has judged her before on the German version of the contest – and had no problem in scoring Oti’s routine three out of 10. Ouch.

What is Motsi’s experience as a dancer?

Motsi brings with her a wealth of knowledge on all things ballroom and Latin, so contestants can expect some valuable pointers from her critiques.

She began competing in her native South Africa in the 90s and has taken part in dance competitions all over the world.

No stranger to the Strictly format, she’s also danced in two series of the German version called Let’s Dance.

 

Has she been a judge before?

Motsi is already a popular TV judge in Germany, which is now her home.

After two seasons competing in Let’s Dance, she eventually joined the judging panel in 2011 and has been a permanent fixture ever since.

She’s also judged the German version of the Got Talent franchise, called Das Supertalent, and the German broadcast of dance contest Stepping Out.

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One in the autumn.