The South African-German dancer is the sister of Oti - who was a professional on Strictly for six years before announcing her departure in February this year. I think because of him, we are able to realise our dreams today,” she says. “I would have danced with Nelson Mandela if I’d had the chance, and I would have asked him so many questions. And while Motsi Mabuse, 41, has been twirled by a whole host of men over the course of her career, there’s one celebrity she dreamed of sharing the ballroom with. She was proficient in judging dance long before she replaced Darcey Bussell in 2019, thanks to years of offering expertise on Let’s Dance, the German version of Strictly. Motsi Mabuse: 'I would have danced with Nelson Mandela' “They will bring things that we’ve never seen before, something new,” he adds. And while stepping into the professionals’ dancing shoes has never appealed to the choreographer due to the gruelling training schedules, he is in awe of their knowledge, energy and excitement, and has branded the new dancers – Vito Coppola, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley and Michelle Tsiakkas – “exceptional”. “I was totally wrong about that!” he jokes.

Craig says, “She stood out because she was incredible, it was the first 10 that I ever gave.”īack in the noughties, Craig had no expectations for the show, confessing he thought it would last three weeks. But there is one celebrity in Craig’s mind that set the bar for “amazing dancing” back in 2005 – EastEnders actress Jill Halfpenny, whose jive with Darren Bennett earned the first-ever top score of 40. Craig, 57, has always been regarded as the tougher judge to crack, renowned for being the pickiest when it comes to awarding a perfect 10 points.

Perfect Ten by Michelle Craig