Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse stunned BBC viewers with her recent weight loss transformation, and the star has now shed light on the secrets behind her new look

View 4 Images

Motsi Mabuse unveiled a new look on the first Strictly Come Dancing live show(Image: BBC)

At 44, Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse is taking steps to future-proof herself against the menopause: “I am preparing for what may come,” she says. “I want to be ready.”

The South African-born dancer, who joined the Strictly judging panel in 2019, has embarked on a strict exercise regime and an “overhaul” of her diet to lose weight, resisting the temptation of ‘fat jabs’.

Following speculation around her transformation amongst Strictly viewers, she told The Sun’s Fabulous magazine: “I’m doing weights and building muscle.

“I’m eating nuts, fruit and salad. I’m going to the sauna three times a week, as it helps reduce your cortisol levels. I find ice baths are good for my mental health, too.”

She explains that she’s heard nothing but “fear mongering” around the menopause, with even her friend and fellow judge Shirley Ballas warning her that the dramatic hormonal chances she’s set to face will be “a ride.”

View 4 Images

Motsi and Shirley Ballas maintain a good off-screen relationship(Image: Lia Toby, Getty Images)

Motsi and Shirley have remained in touch even during Strictly’s off-season. “She messaged me in the summer, asking: ‘Are you working out?’ We are WhatsApping workouts all the time,” Motsi revealed.

Motsi described Shirley as an “inspiration,” saying: “She’s 65 and looks incredible.” The star says that she’s very happy to be reunited with all her Strictly colleagues this season, saying that she often finds herself trying to create a diplomatic balance between Craig and Shirley.

But being back in the UK to work on Strictly comes with one significant downside for the health-conscious mum-of-one, who lives in Germany during the off-season: “Everywhere you go in England, there are nice treats! I can’t resist a sausage roll.

“I have a sweet tooth, too, and I’m a stress eater,” she added. “If I’m calm, it’s pineapple and berries. When I’m stressed, I want muffins and Crunchies.”

View 4 Images

Motsi says she’s ‘preparing for what may come’(Image: Joshua Sammer, Getty Images)

While she’s working on Strictly, she sends secret messages to her seven-year old daughter back in Germany: “She watches the show and each week she will say, ‘Blow a kiss,’ or ‘Make a heart with your hands,’ Motsi revealed.

“She makes up little dances I’ve got to do, so she knows it’s a secret sign just for her.”

Motsi opened up about the difficulty of balancing a high-profile job with lots of international travel and the demands of motherhood: “Sometimes a mum has to go to work, because if you don’t, your kids will not eat. If you are lucky enough to be able to make decisions like I did, then take them.”

View 4 Images

Motsi and her sister have become even closer now they’re both parents(Image: Shane Anthony Sinclair/BAFTA, Getty Images for BAFTA)

She added that motherhood has deepened her relationship with her younger sister Oti, who welcomed her own daughter into the world on Christmas Day 2023.

Oti, who won back-to-back Strictly seasons in 2019 and 2020, had a difficult start as a mum, with her daughter being born prematurely and with an infection – requiring six weeks in intensive care.

Motsi said they have become even closer thanks to being mums: “We’ve realised that we are actually speaking more openly since she became a mum. We want our kids to grow up close, so we make a lot of effort to see each other, and we are such a support to each other.”