‘Strictly's my me-time – I can be crazy!'

Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse opens up to new about how the show injects some very welcome glitz and glamour into her life

- RIANNE ISON

Fans are counting down the days until Strictly Come Dancing makes a welcome return to our screens – and returning judge Motsi Mabuse is with them every step of the way.

“I’m so excited to be back,” Motsi says as we catch up for an exclusive chat.

“My favourite thing about being on Strictly is the few seconds before the show begins and you can feel backstage everyone’s heightened energy.

“And then that live music goes on. Every single time, I get goosebumps, even now!”

The show marks an exciting time in the TV calendar – and mum-of-one Motsi says it injects some much-needed glitz and glamour into her life, joking that the BBC contest gives her a break from buying nappies for her three-year-old daughter.

Motsi, 40, flies to the UK from Germany to film Strictly every weekend, before heading home to husband Evgenij Voznyuk, 39, and their little girl.

She says, “It’s like a bit of me-time. The rest of the week I’m at home with my family and I get one day where I can have glitz and glamour and be crazy.”

Here, Motsi tells new about the exciting changes fans can expect this series and what’s left on her bucket list...

Hi, Motsi. How excited are you for this year’s Strictly?

I’m so excited to be back. This is my third year and you know they say all good things come in threes.

What’s in store for viewers?