Motsi Mabuse says she was left 'disappointed and sad' after reading 'racist' German tabloid headline

Tom Beasley
Motsi Mabuse was left upset by a headline in the German newspaper Bild. (Tristar Media/Getty Images)
Motsi Mabuse was left upset by a headline in the German newspaper Bild. (Tristar Media/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Motsi Mabuse says she was left "disappointed and sad" after reading a German tabloid headline perceived to contain a racial slur.

The 40-year-old dancer and Strictly Come Dancing judge revealed on Instagram that she was "truly shocked" when she saw the German newspaper Bild publish a photo of her next to the headline "the chocolate didn't help either".

The headline was published in the wake of Mabuse's guest appearance on the German version of Britain's Got Talent, which was poorly received.

Timo Lokoschat, Bild's deputy editor in chief, told the Daily Mail that the headline — which has since been changed — was intended to refer to chocolate bars handed out to audience members.

He added: "We changed it anyway. It was by no means intended to offend anyone."

A post shared by Motsi Mabuse (@motsimabuse)

In a lengthy Instagram caption addressing the situation, Mabuse wrote that she had experience "a night full of tears" after seeing the headline.

She added: "After having a wonderful photoshoot last night I switched on my phone and was shocked — really, truly shocked. After the shock, I was extremely disappointed and sad."

Mabuse thanked those who had reached out with words of support and promised to "continue doing my best to represent" Black women on TV.

She said: "I am not going to have people tell me how I was supposed to react or brush it off.

"Words matter and just know for some people you will never, ever be good enough — not because of your qualities or anything in that direction, but because it’s plain simple or subtle racism."

Motsi Mabuse has now been a judge on 'Strictly Come Dancing' for several years. (Guy Levy/BBC)
Motsi Mabuse has now been a judge on 'Strictly Come Dancing' for several years. (Guy Levy/BBC) (BBC/Guy Levy)

Mabuse works extensively on TV in both Germany and the UK, carrying out her judging role on Strictly Come Dancing alongside the German version Let's Dance.

She joined Strictly as a judge in 2017, replacing the outgoing Dame Darcey Bussell.

Mabuse will reprise her judging role for the 19th series of Strictly next month, joining Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke on the panel.

Contestants this time around include BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker, EastEnders alum Nina Wadia and Olympic champion swimmer Adam Peaty.

Watch: Who are the 2021 Strictly Come Dancing cast?

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