Motsi Mabuse on why it’s essential that viewers – and not judges – pick the Strictly winner

Strictly Come Dancing has almost come to an end with the final airing Saturday 16 December.

However, before judge Motsi Mabuse can get the tinsel out, she’s got one last show to do, where the public choose the winner.

While the public vote for their favourite couple in each episode, the four judges always get their say in the dance off – but not in the Strictly final. So does Motsi mind handing control over to the viewers?

“People have an opinion and that opinion is legitimate,” insists Motsi. “They’ve been through this whole journey with people they love so it’s OK to hand it over to them. It’s been a great season because of all the different personalities.”

Stars such as Ellie Leach, Layton Williams and Angela Scanlon have brought amazing energy to the dance floor, all winning 10s from Motsi and her fellow judges Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke.

And Motsi has been moved by the stars’ commitment. “It feels genuine,” she says. “It feels like they really, really want to be part of Strictly.”

Motsi isn’t the only member of her family to be on Strictly Come Dancing, her younger sister, Oti Mabuse, 33, appeared as a professional dancer on the show for seven years and won twice with her celeb partners Kelvin Fletcher and Bill Bailey.

Now, Oti is expecting a baby, and Motsi is thrilled to be meeting her new niece or nephew very soon.

“The whole family is really excited because the last baby we had is five already,” smiles Motsi. “My family loves family… We’re really excited about the baby.”

Motsi and her Ukrainian husband Evgenij Voznyuk live in Germany with their daughter, but this year the whole family will be in London because of the new arrival.

“We will be spending our first Christmas in London – the whole family is coming,” says Motsi. “We have a big tree. We want to make it as magical as possible.”

Motsi’s daughter – whose name she keeps private – is the centre of her world. But while she loves being part of a big brood herself, Motsi feels blessed to have her own happy family of three.

“Only God knows,” says Motsi, suddenly serious when asked if she wants more children. “We are happy that we have the three of us. We are a tiny, close-knit family. Every day with our daughter feels like a gift and we are so in love with each other.”

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