Strictly Come Dancing: Motsi Mabuse RETURNS to the judging panel after two week isolation hiatus

Motsi Mabuse made a triumphant return to the Strictly Come Dancing judging panel on Saturday night, after a two week hiatus.  

The television personality, 39, cut a glamorous figure in a satin floral dress as she told hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman she was delighted to be back in the studios, after having to isolate in Germany

Claudia, 48, said: ‘A huge welcome back to Motsi, we have missed you. How does it feel to be back?’, to which the South African dancer replied:’You know what it was such a joy to watch from home on the couch but you know what there is nothing better than being here. I love you so much, thank you guys’.

She’s back! Motsi Mabuse made a triumphant return to the Strictly Come Dancing judging panel on Saturday night, following her two week hiatus 

Anton Du Beke stepped in for two weeks to cover the role after Motsi had to isolate due to an emergency trip to Germany. 

The South African dancer caught a flight after her dance school was ‘targeted’ and worked with police to ‘solve the crime’.   

Clara, 36, and Aljaž Škorjanec, 30, then opened the week six of the competition, dancing the jive to River Deep, Mountain High by Tina Turner. 

The BBC presenter was hoping to bounce back after failing to impress the judges last week with her Chef theme Samba, scoring just 18 points out of 30. 

Gorgeous: Motsi, 39, cut a glamorous figure in a satin floral dress as she told hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman she was delighted to be back in the studios, after having to isolate in Germany

Gorgeous: Motsi, 39, cut a glamorous figure in a satin floral dress as she told hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman she was delighted to be back in the studios, after having to isolate in Germany 

Shirley Ballas said: ‘What a way to open the show, it was a little bit hit and miss. Some parts you did were outstanding, there was those few mistakes. I’m so sorry for you, but you did try your best.’

Motsi added: ‘It’s true we saw the mistakes but I honestly had goosebumps but there were special moments, you let go. You started of great, the right amount of energy.’

Craig Revel-Horwood said Clara did a lot better than last week but it still went ‘horribly wrong’. 

Clara told Claudia she ‘lost her nerve a little bit but still had fun’. The judges cast their votes, with the pair scoring 19 points out of 30.

Jamie Laing, 32, and Karen Hauer, 38, returned to the dancefloor after topping the leaderboard last week. 

The pair performed the tango to Tanguera by the Argentine orchestral group, Sexteto Mayo, which got a standing ovation from Motsi and Shirley. 

Motsi said: ‘I have to say already on the couch, you are so infectious. Today what a contrast in your persona and you were on the floor. The first few steps I was like Jamie, you kept it. I see an improved shoulder line, your focus, you were now and then a little bit too late on your feet.’

Craig said: ‘The lead was questionable only at time. I loved the concept, sharp staccato, brilliant’.

Shirley: There was drama tension, great story-telling. You have a beautiful connection with this young lady, the thing you have to work is take your ear and listen to that music. The sky is the limit for you young man.’ 

The pair got a total score of 24, a drastic improvement from his previous ballroom score of 17. 

HRVY and Janette Manrara also got a standing ovation with Craig labelling it ‘GOAT… Greatest Of All Time.’ He added: ‘Brilliant, absolutely amazing.’

The pair did a lyrical Couple’s Choice routine a Sky Full Of Stars by Coldplay.  

While Shirley told Janette it was so of the ‘most amazing Couple’s Choice choreography I’ve seen, by far’. 

Motsi said: ‘What a night to come back to. Unbelievable’.