There is a major question mark over whether the show's newest judge Motsi Mabuse will be returning to Strictly Come Dancing this autumn.
Motsi, 39, is also a judge on the German version of the show, Let’s Dance, and is set to tour with a live show in November this year, throwing Strictly into crisis mode.
An insider told The Sun on Sunday, “Producers have been pulling their hair out as they struggle to get all of their judges in the right place for the live shows.
“Motsi’s fans in Germany are buying show tickets expecting to see her live.”
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While all the professional dancers for this year's series have been revealed - with fan favourites Oti Mabuse and Anton Du Beke returning - it seems the judges are still negotiating their contracts.
And Motsi - who previously opened up about the heartbreaking reason she left South Africa - recently revealed her future on the show was uncertain.
“I don’t know if I’ll do the next Strictly or not. They haven’t asked me yet but if they do I will definitely be back,” she admitted.
Travel restrictions caused by the global pandemic has made booking judges for Strictly much tougher. And Bruno Tonioli hinted he also might not be returning to the UK series, as he has committed to the US version, Dancing With The Stars.
The source added, “Pre-Covid it was easy for talent to jet in and out of the UK for the night, but with travel restrictions it’s much harder.
“Producers want to avoid relying too much on video links, especially as they’re paying big money for talent. It’s a real schedule clash.”
Thankfully, a spokesperson for the BBC said they’ll do all they can to keep Motsi on the panel.
“Motsi will be doing the next series, we will be working out the schedule as we have done in the past.”
Phew!
