Strictly Judge Motsi Mabuse’s legal team will reportedly argue that her ex-husband is only fighting her claims of coercion because he wants cash, according to sources.
Ms Mabuse’s ex-husband and dance partner Timo Kulczak is suing her for £70,000 over claims in her autobiography that he controlled her by restricting access to cash and deciding what she ate, which he denies.
But the BBC star’s lawyers are planning to show that Mr Kulczak is vying for some of her £200,000 Strictly Come Dancing salary, according to German sources.
A source claimed: ‘Motsi’s lawyers hope everything that has been said about her in the media will end up helping them in court.
The former Ballroom and Latin dancer married her first love when she was just 22 years old and she broke off their 11-year marriage in 2014. Motsi Mabuse and her ex-husband Timo Kulczak
In her 2022 book Finding My Own Rhythm, Motsi claimed her difficult relationship with Timo held her back professionally
‘They are so confident, their main worry is he won’t be able to pay their legal bills if he ends up losing.’
A hearing is due to take place in Germany where Mr Kulczak lives this coming January.
Mr Kulczak’s legal team previously asked the German court in Offenburg to jail Ms Mabuse for up to six months or fine her £250,000 if she ever repeated the claims, The Sun reported.
Mr Kulczak’s lawyer Samy Hammand said: ‘I am surprised if this is their case.
‘The amount is completely appropriate and by no means disproportionate for the claims that appeared in her book and the German press.’
The former Ballroom and Latin dancer married her first love when she was just 22 years old and she broke off their 11-year marriage in 2014.
In November, Timo hit back at Motsi’s claims, accusing her of fabricating the story in order to ‘push book sales’, while claiming they have even been in friendly contact since their divorce.
The TV personality said Timo Kulczak took charge of her finances, paying her an allowance from what she earned from her TV appearances and dance classes
He told The Sun: ‘She did something bad to me and my family and I can’t accept that. Now I have reached a point whereby I cannot just let things stand as they are when something is put out there in public and it is simply not true.
‘I am deeply disappointed and hurt. Looking back, I remember a very good and positive and happy time that simply cannot be compared to some of the claims about me that have now come to light.
‘I was a loving and caring husband who was always by her side at any time, when she needed help. I don’t feel I was controlling, I see all of what I did as organising and being helpful to her.’
Timo’s lawyer went on to claim they can take legal action both in Germany and England but strive to reach an ‘amicable agreement’.
In her 2022 book Finding My Own Rhythm, Motsi claimed her difficult relationship with Timo held her back professionally as he refused to let her open a dance school.
The TV personality said Timo Kulczak took charge of her finances, paying her an allowance from what she earned from her TV appearances and dance classes.
She claimed Mr Kulczak chose what they ate and refused to split up from her when she spoke to him about it.
Motsi wrote in her book: ‘Timo and I went to Thailand, and I told him, once and for all, that I was leaving. We fought every day, but I refused to back down this time.’
Their relationship fell apart after they stopped dancing together, despite the couple previously winning two German championships together.
Mr Kulczak also declined her requests to have a baby and open a dance school together, according to Motsi.
