BBC Strictly Come Dancing judges share on-air kiss as fans left speechless
Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas left viewers stunned after she planted a kiss on fellow judge Motsi Mabuse during the first live show of this year's series.
The well-known TV personality, 63, was in the process of giving feedback to Olympic swimmer Tom Dean and his dance partner Nadiya Bychkova about their tango performance when she decided to illustrate her point with an impromptu demonstration.
"It's all in the posture." Ballas instructed before asking co-star Mabuse to join her for a tango stance showcase right behind the judges' desk.
With the audience watching, Anton Du Beke could hardly contain his excitement, encouraging the pair with an enthusiastic "go on girls", reports the Mirror.
READ MORE: Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden's emotional update as she returns to show
READ MORE: BBC The Repair Shop brand episode 'heartbreaking' as tragic story leaves them in tears
But what happened next took everyone by surprise during the display, Shirley Ballas gave Mabuse a quick peck on the lips, causing a visibly shocked reaction from the ex-Strictly pro dancer.
The unexpected on-air moment sparked immediate reactions among Strictly fans online, who quickly took to social media. One Twitter user joked: "Motsi and Shirley kissing live on Strictly to give us the same sex representation we're missing this series lmao."
This comes as Motsi recently expressed her feelings of missing professional dancer Oti Mabuse during her appearance on Loose Women. A few familiar professionals are not returning this year, including her sister Oti who left Strictly in 2022 and while on the ITV Chat show Motsi opened up about how their bond remains strong.
At the time, she reflected, "I do miss her because there's that silent connection when your sister is there. When she walked past or when she was sitting across."
Continuing to share how Oti's previous company gave her solace as she settled into life in the UK after moving from Germany, she said, "You have to imagine I came from Germany to a whole close-knit family and I'm the new one, so just seeing her I felt like, 'Okay, everything is going to be okay.'"
The judge also revealed how they manage to stay in constant contact despite their hectic lives, telling the panel, "We're very connected, I would say it doesn't matter which social media or telephone or whatever, we are on the phone with each other day and night!"
Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One and iPlayer