Strictly's Motsi Mabuse reveals she WON'T be onjudging panel this week

Strictly’s Motsi Mabuse reveals she WON’T be on the judging panel this week after being pinged despite being triple jabbed… because she was vaccinated in Germany

  • Motsi, 40 said she was contacted by NHS Test and Trace on Thursday
  • Although she has been triple jabbed she says her vaccines aren’t recognised 
  • The professional dancer said she must now isolate until November 30
  • Motsi reassured fans she has been tested multiple times and is negative
  • She will be replaced by Cynthia Erivo on Saturday’s Strictly – who stood in for judge Craig Revel Horwood last week when he tested positive

Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse has revealed she won’t be on the judging panel this week after being pinged by NHS Test and Trace.

The professional dancer, 40, explained that while she is triple jabbed, she is currently in Germany and is not able to travel back due to UK Government guidelines, which do not recognise the vaccines she received.

Motsi’s news comes a week after Craig Revel Horwood was forced to pull out of last week’s show after testing positive for Covid-19.

Missing out: Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse has revealed she won’t be on the judging panel this week after being pinged by track and trace

Taking to her Twitter page on Friday, Motsi wrote: ‘I am gutted to say I will have to miss this weekend on Strictly… yesterday, I was contacted by NHS Test and Trace as being in close contact with someone on Sunday November 21 who has since tested positive.

Being double vaccinated & booster as I am, would normally mean exemption from isolation under the ‘close contact’ rules, but unfortunately German EU vaccinations are not recognised and neither is my booster in this instance. 

‘So I must follow UK Government Guidance and can only return after 30 November 2021 to the UK. Our health is the most important thing and luckily I have been tested multiple times this week and am negative.

Explanation: The professional dancer, 40, said although she has been tripled jabbed she must still isolate because her vaccinations which were done in Germany are not recognised

Taking to her Twitter page on Friday, Motsi wrote: ‘I am gutted to say I will have to miss this weekend on Strictly’

‘I am healthy, I am with my family that’s what matters! I wish everyone good luck, sending you my love. Keep dancing. Until then, lots of love and stay safe xx.’ 

The government website states the EU Digital Covid Certificate (EUDCC) is not recognised as proof of vaccination for passengers travelling to the UK.

A spokesperson for the show then confirmed that guest judge Cynthia Erivo – who covered for Craig last week – would return to take Moti’s place.

They said: ‘We can confirm Motsi Mabuse will not be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this weekend. 

‘We are delighted that Cynthia Erivo will be joining us as a guest judge again, joining Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke and Head Judge, Shirley Ballas on the judging panel. 

Stand in: She will be replaced by Cynthia Erivo on Saturday’s Strictly – who stood in for judge Craig Revel Horwood last week when he tested positive

‘We look forward to having Motsi back with us next weekend.’ 

Last year, Motsi was forced to judge virtually from home after flying outside of the UK to travel to Germany following a break in at her dance studio.

After jetting in and out of the country, Motsi had to follow the 14 day isolation rules which meant she was unable to appear in person on the show for two weeks.

She said at the time: ‘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.’

‘I’m so delighted’: Last week it was revealed Cynthia was stepping in to guest judge as Craig continued to isolate after testing positive for Covid  (pictured eariler this month) 

Last week it was revealed Cynthia was stepping in to guest judge as Craig continued to isolate after testing positive for Covid. 

The star – who has won Emmy, Grammy and Tony awards for her on-stage performances, took to the panel for Musicals Week in Craig’s absence.    

She said of the exciting role: ‘I’m so delighted to be joining the Strictly judging panel for Musicals Week. Musicals have a unique place in my heart, it’s such a special way of connecting all art and making it one.’ 

The Bad Times at the El Royale actress continued: ‘I’m excited to bring my experience to the show and I can’t wait to see what the couples have in store this weekend.’ 

London born Cynthia has starred in numerous theatre productions across the globe, including Broadway’s revival of The Colour Purple, the Sister Act UK Tour and The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. 

She played the lead role of Aretha Franklin in the third series of Genius, the title role in acclaimed biopic Harriet, is currently filming for the new Luther movie and will star as Elphaba in the highly anticipated upcoming film adaptation of musical, Wicked.

Sick: Earlier this week, it was confirmed that Craig tested positive for COVID-19 and would be absent from this weekend’s Strictly shows 

The acclaimed star has won a Daytime Emmy Award, Grammy Award and Tony Award, and been nominated for two Academy Awards and will bring plenty of experience to the judge’s table. 

It was confirmed that Craig tested positive for COVID-19 and would be absent from this weekend’s Strictly shows.

The Strictly Come Dancing judge will return to the show this Saturday.

A Strictly spokesperson said: ‘Craig Revel Horwood has tested positive for Covid-19 and is now self-isolating following the latest government guidelines.

‘While Craig will not be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this weekend, all being well he will return the following week.’   

Presenter Rylan Clark-Neal has also discussed the situation on Strictly: It Takes Two. 

Absent: Craig is currently self-isolating and hopes to be back in action the following week (L-R, Craig, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke)

He said: ‘Craig, we’re sending you all of our love and we can’t wait to see you really soon.’

Craig, who is on the panel with Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke, is the first judge to have to pull out of the show due to a positive test. 

Celebrity contestants Tom Fletcher and Judi Love both tested positive for Covid on this year’s series and were allowed to return to the competition after taking one week off.

A Strictly spokesperson said: ‘Craig Revel Horwood has tested positive for Covid-19 and is now self-isolating following the latest government guidelines’

Judi was quite sick during her isolation and told fans that she had ‘a rough couple of days’ and warned them that the prevalence of the illness should prompt them ‘to get your health in order’. 

Posting a video from her bed, Judi said: ‘I don’t even know what day it is. Some kind of motivation day.

‘I just want to say to you guys, ‘Rona is real. I give thanks that I was doing little exercise and dancing thing. I feel like I’m handling it much better than I would have had if I hadn’t been doing little exercise and a little sweat.

‘You can hear from my voice, I have done all the West Indian recipes and remedies, for those who are West Indian, especially Jamaicans, you know what I’m talking about. 

Ill: Celebrity contestants Tom Fletcher and Judi Love (pictured) both tested positive for Covid on this year’s series and were allowed to return to the competition after taking one week off 

‘I eat the garlic, onion, the turmeric, the honey – the expensive one, the Manuka one – the ginger, the lime, the lemon, the rum.

‘I’ve had all kind of soup – chicken foot soup, lamb neck soup, red peas, and my voice is still like this and then ‘Rona will then turn round to you and say to you, ‘You know what, on top of that bredrin, I’m not going to make you able to smell or taste.’

Tom and his professional dance partner Amy Dowden both caught Covid early in the series and were forced to miss the second live show. 

The McFly star said at the time it was ‘frustrating’ not to be able to take part and added that the hardest part was that he had to quarantine away from his children Buzz, seven, Buddy, five, and Max, three. 

Tom and Amy are still in the competition, having made it to the final seven, while Judi and Graziano Di Prima were the fifth couple eliminated. 

Contenders: Tom and Amy are still in the competition, having made it to the final seven 

Covid regulations on the BBC show were much stricter on last year’s series which saw Nicola Adams and Katya Jones being forced to leave the show after Katya tested positive.

Meanwhile, judge Bruno Tonioli has missed the last two series of Strictly as he was unable to fly between Los Angeles and London during the pandemic and so remained as a judge on the US Dancing With The Stars.  

Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturday November 20 on BBC One. 

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