'Strictly Come Dancing' announces Motsi Mabuse as new judge

Motsi Mabuse has been announced as the new judge on Strictly Come Dancing.

The big sister of professional dancer Oti Mabuse is already a judge on the German version of the show Let’s Dance and will replace Dame Darcey Bussell when the hit show returns to BBC One in the autumn.

Motsi, 38, said: “I am absolutely overjoyed to be joining the Strictly judging panel. I have so much respect and admiration for the other three judges and hope to add my own bit of sparkle to the show. I can’t wait to get started!”

Read more: Chris Evans 'quits Strictly again' as new series draws closer

Motsi is a former German Latin Champion and South African Champion.

Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content says: “Motsi is a brilliant addition to the show. She is a wonderful dancer in her own right and already has years of experience as a judge under her belt. We’re all looking forward to welcoming her to the Strictly family.”

Sarah James, Executive Producer of Strictly says: "I am incredibly excited that Motsi Mabuse is joining the show. Motsi's natural warmth, energy and passion for dance makes her the perfect addition to our esteemed judging panel."

Following the news, she said she was "thrilled and overjoyed" to be joining the BBC One series.

In a long post on Instagram she wrote: "I am absolutely thrilled and overjoyed to be joining the @bbcstrictly judging panel. I have so much respect and admiration for the other three judges and hope to add my own bit of sparkle to the show.

"I can't wait to get started! @letsdance dance has always and will always have a place in my heart ' I grew up with @letsdance and learned so much, so don't worry. I am not going anywhere soon and November I will be certainly our first tour!!".

She thanked her Let's Dance team for their "support and 11 wonderful years!" and also thanked her husband, family and dance school team.

Sister Oti reacted on Twitter, with a musical rendition of the show's theme song.

She tweeted: "Yayyyy!!!! Da da da dadada daaaaa- da dada da da".

Strictly professional Karen Hauer was among those congratulating Mabuse.

She tweeted: "Welcome to the family @MOTSI_MABUSE".

Strictly dancer Neil Jones tweeted: "Congratulations to @MOTSI_MABUSE who has just been announced as the new judge on @bbcstrictly she is one the greatest female dancers of her time and I can't wait to welcome her to our Strictly family #strictlyjudge."

Ballerina Bussell, 50, announced earlier this year she is stepping down from the panel on the hit celebrity dance show after seven years.

Motsi will join judges Craig Revel Horwood, Bruno Tonioli and Shirley Ballas.

Read more: Len Goodman addresses Darcey Bussell replacement rumours

It is not known if Oti, 28, will return as a professional dancer on the new series of Strictly and if her sister will be allowed to score her.