Motsi Mabuse joins Strictly Come Dancing tour for first time

Motsi Mabuse is set to join the Strictly Come Dancing tour for the very first time.

The professional dancer, 43, has served as a judge on the BBC show since 2019, but has never joined fellow judges as the programme takes its annual arena tour around the UK.

However, the 2025 live shows will see a line-up change as Motsi finally joins Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas on tour – much to Shirley’s excitement.

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The Strictly head judge took to Instagram on Tuesday to share the exciting news, with Shirley sharing her joy that she’ll no longer be ‘the only lady on tour’. 

She penned: ‘Super excited to have @motsimabuse on board the @bbcstrictly tour bus for 2025… with naughty @mrantondubeke & @craigrevel, beautiful @motsimabuse, the superstar that is @jmanrara and our cast of couples.

Motsi Mabuse is set to join the Strictly Come Dancing tour for the very first time

The 2025 live shows will see a line-up change as Motsi finally joins Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas [L-R] on tour – much to Shirley’s excitement

‘I’m sure it’s going to be a tour like no other. Can’t wait to meet you all next year in the arenas.’

In official stills for the tour, Motsi wows in a structured pink top, a black midi skirt and white heels as she poses with her stylish fellow judges. 

In a statement about her participation, Motsi shared: ‘I’m thrilled to be joining my fellow TV judges Shirley, Anton and Craig on the Strictly Live Tour.

‘I’ve heard so much about the incredible audiences that come to the shows across the country – it will be such a joy to be part of that magic – I can’t wait for January.’

Head judge Shirley added: ‘I can’t think of a better way to start 2025 than on the Strictly Live Tour.

‘I’m delighted that Motsi will be on the road with us next year to bring some extra girl power to the proceedings and help keep Anton and Craig in check.

‘I always love seeing the fans who travel to watch us – we can’t wait to put on an amazing show for you all.’ 

The 30 date live tour will begin after the main show’s 20th anniversary series concludes, with stops including Manchester, Birmingham, London and Liverpool. Tickets go on sale on Friday. 

The professional dancer, 43, has served as a judge on the BBC show since 2019, but has never joined fellow judges as the programme takes its annual arena tour around the UK

The Strictly head judge took to Instagram on Tuesday to share the exciting news, with Shirley sharing her joy that she’ll no longer be ‘the only lady on tour’

In a statement about her participation, Motsi shared: ‘I’m thrilled to be joining my fellow TV judges Shirley, Anton and Craig on the Strictly Live Tour’

 Former show professional Janette Manrara will once again take the helm as host, while Craig, in addition to his judging duties, will direct the shows. 

Giving a taster of what fans can expect, he shared: ‘Strictly fans are in for a huge treat on the live tour – it’s going to be bigger and better than ever before.

‘Audiences will be able to enjoy all of the glitz and glamour of the TV show and see their favourite celebrities and dancers up-close and personal.

‘And with Motsi joining us for the first time, it’s going to be even more fab-u-lous!’

‘I’ve heard so much about the incredible audiences that come to the shows across the country – it will be such a joy to be part of that magic’

The 30 date live tour will begin after the main show’s 20th anniversary series concludes [pictured the 2023 cast]

Meanwhile, Anton added: ‘This will be my third year on the arena tour and I really can’t wait. Having all four of the judges behind the desk is going to be so much fun.

‘The scale of the live show is really something to behold and we love it just as much as the audience – it’s a great outing for all the family.’ 

The announcement comes just days after the BBC show returned on Saturday for it’s launch show, in which fans learnt of the celebrity and professional pairings.  

It comes after Strictly Come dancing failed to address its recent scandals as it returned to British TV screens on Saturday for its 20th anniversary series

The show was hit with a fresh wave of scandal when Graziano Di Prima was sacked in July for ‘kicking’ his partner, Love Island star Zara McDermott

The BBC show’s milestone year has been marred by scandal – after actress Amanda Abbington unexpectedly quit the show last October before claiming her partner Giovanni Pernice was abusive towards her.

The show was then hit with a fresh wave of scandal when Graziano Di Prima was sacked in July for ‘kicking’ his partner, Love Island star Zara McDermott. 

However the BBC dodged the controversy during its launch episode of the new series as they failed to address the drama.

Hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly excitedly introduced this year’s celebrities and announced which dancers they would be paired with – but the controversies of the last year went unmentioned.