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Motsi Mabuse says there's 'a lot of pressure' on sister Oti after two straight 'Strictly' wins

Motsi Mabuse says her sister Oti will be eyeing up a third successive 'Strictly Come Dancing' vistory. (Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images)
Motsi Mabuse says her sister Oti will be eyeing up a third successive 'Strictly Come Dancing' vistory. (Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images)

Motsi Mabuse has admitted there's "a lot of pressure on my sister" ahead of the new series of Strictly Come Dancing, which starts tonight.

Oti Mabuse made history last year as the first professional dancer to lift the glitterball twice in a row, winning with comedian Bill Bailey just 12 months after triumphing with Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher.

Read more: Motsi confident dancers will be ready despite positive COVID-19 tests

Motsi told the Mirror her sister will have plenty of expectation on her shoulders this year as she tries for the treble.

She said: "There’s a lot of pressure on my little one. But she’s a lion. She’s a fighter, she’s got all great qualities and she’s not going down without a fight.”

Watch: Oti Mabuse takes to the dance floor with Kelvin Fletcher

Motsi said the development of her working relationship with Oti has been "funny" in how it has morphed during the time they have been working together on Strictly.

She added: "Yes we’re sisters and we have a very tight relationship, but we know why we’re here and there are boundaries.

“It’s funny to see how we are in those professional surroundings, but we’ve got that respect for each other.”

Read more: Five things we learned about Strictly this week

Motsi said she is now "settling in" and becoming comfortable on the Strictly panel, with this year set to be her third series alongside Shirley Ballas and Craig Revel Horwood.

They will be joined this year by Anton Du Beke, who is due to replace Bruno Tonioli after a guest judge stint on the 2020 series, and Motsi is thrilled to have him on the team.

Motsi Mabuse is returning for her third series as a judge on 'Strictly Come Dancing'. (Lia Toby/Getty Images)
Motsi Mabuse is returning for her third series as a judge on 'Strictly Come Dancing'. (Lia Toby/Getty Images)

She said: “Anton is such an important part of the show and it’s one of those really feelgood stories.

"He’s been there from the beginning and this is just the next level for him. It was destined to be.”

Read more: Everything you need to know about Strictly 2021

Motsi revealed preparations for the new series are going well and tipped CBBC presenter Rhys Stephenson, The Crown actor Greg Wise and Loose Women panellist Judi Love as the ones to watch.

Strictly Come Dancing begins on Saturday at 7.45pm on BBC One with the launch show, ahead of the live shows airing from 25 September.

Watch: Who is Strictly contestant Judi Love?