STRICTLY has been thrown into chaos after Motsi Mabuse signed up for the German show’s stage tour — at the same time the UK series is on air.
The judge, 39, is still negotiating her contract for the BBC1 show, which starts filming in September.
But the clash caused by the double booking in Germany has sparked panic at the BBC.
South African-born Motsi is also a judge on the German version of Strictly called Let’s Dance and is the star attraction of its theatre tour.
It is taking place across the country throughout November, including every Saturday night – when Strictly is broadcast live in the UK.
Dancer Motsi, who lives in Frankfurt, even appears on the publicity posters and ticket website for the German tour.
It is understood that until recently she didn’t know whether her contract for Strictly was being renewed so committed to the German shows.
It comes after fellow judge Bruno Tonioli, 65, ruled out appearing in person on the series this year as he remains in California for the show’s US version Dancing with the Stars.
Without Motsi on the panel it would just be head judge Shirley Ballas, 60, and Craig Revel Horwood, 56, in the studio.
A telly source told The Sun on Sunday: “Producers have been pulling their hair out as they struggle to get all of their judges in the right place for the live shows.
“Motsi’s fans in Germany are buying show tickets expecting to see her live.
Pre-Covid it was easy for talent to jet in and out of the UK for the night, but with travel restrictions it’s much harder.
“Producers want to avoid relying too much on video links, especially as they’re paying big money for talent. It’s a real schedule clash.”
In November last year Motsi, the older sister of pro dancer Oti, 30, was absent from the panel for two weeks. At the time an urgent trip back to Germany meant she had to self-isolate for 14 days.
The judges all pocket between £150,000 and £250,000 per year.
The Sun on Sunday says
MEIN Gott!
Motsi Mabuse is due to spend November on stage in Germany, right in the middle of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
But there may be a compromise.
If we offer them a few more Covid jabs perhaps they would let us have her back.
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Speaking earlier this month, Motsi admitted her future on the show was uncertain, saying: “I don’t know if I’ll do the next Strictly or not. They haven’t asked me yet but if they do I will definitely be back.”
She told The Sunday Times: “At the moment most of my income is from events, or associations with companies like Weight Watchers or from the fee for Strictly Come Dancing.”
A BBC spokeswoman said: “Motsi will be doing the next series, we will be working out the schedule as we have done in the past.”
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