Strictly Come Dancing‘s newest judge, Motsi Mabuse, is said to be moving her family to the UK for the 2020 series, so as not to risk travel complications amid COVID-19.
The sister of pro dancer Oti lives in Hamburg with her husband Evgenij Voznyuk and their daughter, and traveled back and forth for the 2019 series.
But as co-judge Bruno Tonioli’s involvement has been thrown into doubt due to his need to travel to and from the US, Motsi, 39, is said to be taking no risks,
Taking no risks: Strictly Come Dancing’s newest judge, Motsi Mabuse, is said to be moving her family to the UK for the 2020 series, so as not to risk travel complications amid COVID-19
The Sun reports that ‘Motsi doesn’t want to take any risks so the current plan is for her and her family to move to the UK for the full run’.
A source told them: ‘She is going to find a short-term rental.
‘It’s a big upheaval but she loved doing her first series last year and doesn’t want anything to get in the way of her second.’
MailOnline has approached a rep for commnent.
Bruno, 64, has reportedly decided to solely appear on the higher-paid US version of Strictly – Dancing With The Stars – this autumn.
In doubt: Co-judge Bruno Tonioli’s involvement has been thrown into doubt due to his need to travel to and from the US
Sources told The Sun that Bruno has decided to remain in the US as he spends a majority of the year living Stateside, and did not want to risk flying to the UK during the current crisis.
He usually travels between the UK and US to judge both series during the autumn, though in recent years he has been given a week off to recuperate.
Bruno has reportedly told BBC bosses he won’t be available for the show, but they are not planning to replace him, meaning he could still make a guest appearance later in the series.
Taking a break: Bruno has reportedly decided to solely appear on the higher-paid US version Dancing With The Stars this autumn
A source said: ‘There is no way to travel back and forth at the moment, so he’s told bosses in the UK that unfortunately he will be staying over there.
‘He spends a lot of his time in the States now, and the truth is he does earn a lot more from the US version.
‘Of course it will be a shame to lose him, but even if he can make it back for a couple of weeks later in the series, his seat will be waiting for him.’
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Bruno Tonioli and Strictly Come Dancing for comment.
Will he be back? Bruno has reportedly told BBC bosses he won’t be available, but they are not planning to replace him, meaning he could still make a guest appearance later in the series
It had been reported that Bruno may not be able to take part in this year’s Strictly, with bookies immediately tipping Cheryl as the favourite to replace him. A representative for the singer has since denied the claims.
With Bruno absent, it would mean the judging panel would solely consist of Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel-Horwood and Motsi Mabuse.
On Tuesday it was also reported that this year’s Strictly will only run for nine weeks, with the start date pushed back to October to allow bosses to pre-record elements during the current social distancing climate.
Due to the reduced series run, it was claimed bosses will have fewer celebrities in the line-up, with the show’s Halloween and Blackpool specials coming up at two and four weeks into the schedule.
Busy bee: Bruno has spent the last 15 years jetting between the US and the UK for Strictly and its American counterpart Dancing With The Stars (pictured in 2019)
A source told The Sun: ‘BBC bosses are doing everything in their power to give the public as much Strictly as they possibly can and safely.
‘A heavily reduced schedule gives them a lot longer to pre-record certain segments to minimise risk. It does mean it will be starting much later in the year, and will finish very close to Christmas with the final currently scheduled for December 19.’
Strictly bosses also previously revealed that stars will be in ‘couple bubbles’ amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Delayed: On Tuesday it was also reported that this year’s Strictly will only run for nine weeks, with the start date pushed back to October to allow bosses to pre-record certain parts
A spokesman said: ‘The Strictly Come Dancing team are doing everything they can to bring the nation plenty of Strictly magic later this year.
‘To ensure we deliver the high standards audiences know and love, and in light of the ongoing considerations around COVID-19, this year’s series of Strictly will have a slightly shorter run than usual.
‘The safety of our cast and crew is of the utmost importance to us and further updates will be made in due course.
While the global crisis has caused the future of many British TV shows to hang in the balance, BBC executives are pulling out all the stops to ensure the series can return to screens later this year.
Delayed: Due to the reduced series run, it was claimed bosses will have fewer celebrities in the line-up, which is expected to be announced in late July
BBC Director of Content Charlotte Moore recently revealed producers are still assessing contingency plans such as enforcing a face mask rule, dancing two metres apart and even quarantining celebrities and professional dancers.
Charlotte told The Times: ‘We’re looking at how that would work. Could you quarantine people? Can we test everyone before filming? There’s a lot of work being done. It’s a big task.’
She also said fans could see the show go on-air without a live audience, with the BBC also looking into testing participants’ temperatures and installing glass divides inside the studio ‘so that people feel even more protected’.
The Strictly set-up has included a live audience since the show first aired back in 2004, when it was fronted by Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly.
The celebrities taking part are set to be announced at the end of July and it is believed they will rehearse on Zoom until lockdown rules are eased.