Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse to miss show after Covid contact

Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse will miss the show this weekend after coming into close contact with someone who has Covid.

The 40-year-old, who joined the BBC series in 2019, revealed she will be self-isolating after being contacted by NHS Test and Trace on Thursday.

She will be replaced by actress Cynthia Erivo, who filled in for judge Craig Revel Horwood last weekend after he tested positive for Covid-19.

Though she is triple-jabbed, Mabuse says the UK government do not recognise her vaccination status as they were administered in Germany.

She wrote on Instagram: "I am gutted to say I will have to miss this weekend on Strictly... yesterday I was contacted by NHS Test and Trace as being in close contact with someone on Sunday 21st Nov who has since tested positive."

“Being double vaccinated & booster as I am, would normally mean exemption from isolation under the ‘close contact’ rules, but unfortunately German EU vaccines are not recognized and neither is my booster in this instance – so I must follow UK Government Guidance and can only return after 30 November 2021 to UK.”

She added: "Our health is the most important thing and luckily I have been tested multiple times this week and am negative.

"I am healthy, I am with my family, that’s what matters."

A statement from Strictly Come Dancing said: "We can confirm Motsi Mabuse will not be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this weekend.

"We are delighted that Cynthia Erivo will be joining us as a guest judge again, joining Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke and head judge Shirley Ballas on the judging panel.

"We look forward to having Motsi back with us next weekend."

Oscar nominee and stage star Erivo joined Mabuse, Du Beke and Ballas on the judging panel last weekend for musicals week while Revel Horwood was in isolation, and impressed when she gave actress Rose Ayling-Ellis, the show’s first deaf contestant, feedback for her dance routine through sign language.

There have been a string of absences from the series this year.

Revel Horwood, dancer Amy Dowden and contestants Judi Love and Tom Fletcher have all tested positive for coronavirus over the course of the series, while comedian Robert Webb and partner Dianne Buswell withdrew from the show over the TV star’s ill health.

Former rugby player Ugo Monye was also sidelined due to a back injury.

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