Best Foot Forward

New Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse on this year’s show

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The sequins are on and the fake tan has been applied, which can mean only one thing – the stage is set for a new series of Strictly Come Dancing.

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are back to host as, this week, the 15 celebrities will each be partnered with the professional dancer they hope will teach them how to cha-cha, jive and waltz their way to lifting the coveted glitterball trophy, won last year by investigative TV journalist Stacey Dooley.

Watching their every step – and misstep – will be judges Craig Revel Horwood, Bruno Tonioli, Shirley Ballas and new judge Motsi Mabuse, who replaces the departing Darcey Bussell.

The older sister of Strictly professional dancer Oti Mabuse, Motsi, 38, is a champion ballroom dancer. Here, she tells us about her coveted role...

How are you feeling about joining Strictly?

I’m so excited. I’ve been a judge on Let’s Dance in Germany since 2011 but Strictly