Motsi Mabuse will MISS Strictly live show as she self-isolates at home
Anton Du Beke will take her place on the panel
Last updated 13th Nov 2020
Popular judge Motsi Mabuse has confirmed she is currently self-isolating at home following an urgent trip to Germany earlier this week, meaning she will NOT appear on this weekend's episode of Strictly Come Dancing in person.
Motsi, who lived in Germany before the pandemic, took to her social media accounts to let fans know she is now following Government guidelines to self-isolate for 14 days following her trip.
She wrote, 'Hi Guys - Earlier this week I needed to travel to Germany for an urgent reason. I will of course be following the UK Government guidelines and self-isolating for 14 days. I'll be watching from home and by the power of technology, should be in your living rooms. Watch out though, I'll be doing my own hair and make-up!'. (sic)
As stated in her message, Motsi will still appear during Saturday and Sunday night's live shows via a video link from her home, but she won't physically be sat alongside fellow judges Craig Revel Horwood and Shirley Ballas.
The BBC have now confirmed that popular professional dancer Anton Du Beke will sit in for Motsi on the judging panel for the next two weeks.
In a statement they said, "We are pleased to announce that the King of Ballroom Anton Du Beke is stepping into our judging panel this weekend. Good Luck Anton."
Check out which celebs found love on the Strictly dancefloor:
Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole
On the first ever series of Strictly back in 2001, news reader Natasha Kaplinsky and professional dancer Brendan Cole were paired together.
Despite both being in other relationships at the time, both Natasha and Brendan called off their romances and started dating after the series finished.
Their relationship didn't last long though, and they are now both happily married to other people.
Ali Bastian and Brian Fortuna
It was love at first sight for former Hollyoaks actress Ali Bastian and her Strictly partner Brian Fortuna in 2009.
With the pair both single at the time, Ali and Brian started a relationship, only for it to end the following year.
Joe Calzaghe and Kristina Rihanoff
When boxer Joe Calzaghe appeared on the show in 2009, he announced to the press that his relationship with his partner Jo-Emma Larvin had come to an end, just one week into his Strictly journey.
Joe's professional dance partner Kristina Rihanoff was more than a shoulder to cry on, with the pair starting a romance. They went on to date for four years after show, before announcing their split.
Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff
After her relationship with Joe Calzaghe fell apart, Kristina later met another Strictly contestant, England rugby ace Ben Cohen.
Both Ben and Kristina have denied rumours that Ben was still with his ex-wife Abby Blayney at the time they started dating, with the pair claiming they didn't get together until a year later.
Things are going well however, the pair now share a daughter together called Milena and are in a happy relationship.
Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev
After her split from Joe Swash, actress Kara Tointon appeared on the 2010 series of Strictly and mended her broken heart with a little help from professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev.
Despite this, things didn't work out for the couple.
Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev
When Countdown presenter Rachel Riley appeared on Strictly in 2013 she was married to her ex-husband Jamie Gilbert. However, after just 16 months of marriage, the pair announced they were set for divorce in November 2013.
Fast-forward to 2016 and Rachel revealed she was in a relationship with her 2013 Strictly partner Pasha Kovalev... And the pair welcomed a baby in 2019, with another arriving in 2021.
Georgia May Foote and Giovanni Pernice
Georgia May Foote was dating her Coronation Street co-star Sean Ward when she joined the show in 2015. But when rumours circulated that the couple's relationship wasn't going well, they split in December 2015.
Georgia was then spotted getting very cosy with her Strictly partner Giovanni, with the pair enjoying a holiday to Disneyland Paris for New Year.
Despite this, the couple ended their relationship in August 2016.
Dianne Buswell and Joe Sugg
After weeks of rumours, Joe Sugg appeared to confirm his relationship with Strictly Come Dancing partner Dianne Buswell with a photo on Instagram, the caption read, 'I may not have won the glitter ball, but I've won something a million times more special.'
The pair have been loved-up ever since!
Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez
Radio presenter Gemma Atkinson and professional dancer Gorka Marquez were first linked in the 2017 series, and got together whilst on the 2018 annual tour together. They moved in together in December 2018 and welcomed their daughter Mia in summer 2019. The couple then announced their engagement at the start of 2021.
In 2023, Gemma and Gorka then welcomed their second child, a baby boy called Thiago!
Giovanni Pernice and Ashley Roberts
Professional dancer Giovanni Pernice and Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts were forced to deny they were dating during the 2018 series, but Giovanni confirmed the relationship in January 2019.
However, just one year later in January 2020, Giovanni confirmed the pair had split.
Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton
Despite taking a long time to confirm their romance, Stacey and Kevin now seem very happy together, with Kevin announcing back in March 2021 that he'd quit the show.
Despite the couple keeping their relationship more or less private, the couple did confirm in August 2022 that they are expecting their first child together, with Stacey giving birth to baby Minnie in January 2023.
Max George and Maisie Smith
Despite both taking part in the 2020 series of Strictly, The Wanted singer Max George and former EastEnders actress Maisie Smith didn't actually start dating until mid-2022.
After weeks of rumours about a romance, the pair went Instagram official in September 2022, sharing gushy posts about each other. They've since been smitten.
Tyler West and Molly Rainford
Strictly 2022 contestants Tyler West and Molly Rainford confirmed they were dating in March 2023, after growing close during the live tour. The pair confirmed they were dating during a TikTok video, leaving fans buzzing.
The news comes just hours after it was revealed boxer Nicola Adams has been forced to quit the show after her pro partner Katya Jones tested positive for Covid-19.
The BBC said in a statement, "Katya is asymptomatic and the pair are now self-isolating separately following the latest government guidelines. As part of the protocols outlined ahead of the series, this sadly means they will no longer be able to take part in the competition."
Sharing a video of her highlights on the show, Nicola told fans, 'Hey guys! I’m absolutely gutted my Strictly journey has ended so soon, I had so much more to give and so many people to win this for! But I just want to say a huge thank you to @Mrs_katjones for being the best dance partner anyone could ask for. Team #outsidethebox 👯♀️'. (sic)
Katya later wrote, 'My heart is broken💔 I’m utterly gutted this Special journey had to end this way and you don’t get to give more . @nicolaadams You are a woman who didn’t need a hero, you became one. Definitely my hero.
'To everyone, thank you for your tremendous support and we will keep dancing for you guys one way or another. #teamoutsidethebox @bbcstrictly'. (sic)
Strictly Come Dancing will continue on Saturday and Sunday night on BBC One.
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