Motsi Mabuse responds to allegations she was picked for Strictly so BBC could 'tick every box'

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: (L-R) Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Bruno Tonioli and Shirley Ballas attend the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show red carpet arrivals at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
(L-R) Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Bruno Tonioli and Shirley Ballas attend the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show red carpet arrivals at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

New Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse has responded to allegations she was only hired so the show could ‘tick every box’.

The South African born Mabuse has proven a hit among viewers after replacing Darcey Bussell for the new series of the long-running dance contest.

But there was controversy following the announcement when dancer and celebrity Louie Spence called her a “nobody” who was picked as a box-ticking exercise.

Read more: Darcey who? 'Strictly' fans fall in love with Motsi Mabuse in the first live show

But the star has now responded to these claims. She told The Sun: "It would be really sad if someone chose me for my colour only.

"I think a person of colour in any situation should be qualified to do the job. Not just because of the colour of their skin.

"You’re always going to have someone attacking you in some way. But it’s weird from someone who’s never met you, I thought it was funny. But there is already a woman of colour in this show - Oti."

Motsi replaced Darcey, who revealed she was stepping down in April after seven years as a judge.

Spence had previously said: “I don’t know her. She is a nobody. She isn’t a celebrity.

“They’ve got somebody of colour, which is being diverse. They like to tick every box. I’m not saying she’s not credible, but maybe that’s why they chose her.”

Professional dancer Anton Du Beke had been an early favourite to replace Bussell, but Mabuse was picked having already held a similar role on the German version of the show.

Read more: Louie Spence accuses BBC of 'box-ticking' for picking Motsi Mabuse to replace Strictly's Darcey Bussell

Asked about her relationship with Du Beke, Mabuse, 38, told ITV show Lorraine: “It’s been fine… We’ve known Anton for quite a while.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27:  Anton Du Beke attends the red carpet launch for 'Strictly Come Dancing 2018' at Old Broadcasting House on August 27, 2018 in London, England.  (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Anton Du Beke attends the red carpet launch for 'Strictly Come Dancing 2018' at Old Broadcasting House on August 27, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

“I met him and he’s such a gentleman. I don’t think it’s anything personal at all. Everyone gets to shine in their different ways.”

The seventeenth series of Strictly started earlier this month.

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