STRICTLY’S Motsi Mabuse will be replaced by Cynthia Erivo this weekend after coming into contact with someone with Covid.
The show judge, 40, is being forced to stay isolate at home despite being triple jabbed, and last week’s stand-in judge Cynthia will continue on the panel.
A Strictly Spokesperson said: “We can confirm Motsi Mabuse will not be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this weekend.
“We are delighted that Cynthia Erivo will be joining us as a guest judge again, joining Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke and Head Judge, Shirley Ballas on the judging panel. We look forward to having Motsi back with us next weekend.”
Motsi confirmed she is up to date with her jabs, but said because they were administered in Germany they are not recognised by the UK government.
Reassuring fans she is OK, she said she had been tested multiple times and all results have been negative.
She wrote: “I am gutted to say I will have to miss this weekend on Strictly… yesterday I was contacted by NHS Test and Trace as being in close contact with someone on Sunday 21st Nov who has since tested positive.”
Explaining she can stop isolating on November 30, she continued: “Our health is the most important thing and luckily I have been tested multiple times this week and am negative. I am healthy, I am with my family, that’s what matters! I wish everyone good luck, sending my love , keep dancing. Until then, lots of love and stay safe.”
Motsi lives in Germany with husband Evgenij Voznyuk. Prior to joining Strictly she was a dancer and judge on the country’s Strictly equivalent, Let’s Dance.
It is the second consecutive week that a judge has been forced to stay away from the studio, with Craig Revel Horwood isolating last week.
The choreographer missed Saturday’s Musicals Special after testing positive for the illness and award-winning actress Cynthia filled in for him.
A Strictly spokesperson said at the time: “Craig Revel Horwood has tested positive for Covid-19 and is now self-isolating following the latest government guidelines.
“While Craig will not be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this weekend, all being well he will return the following week.”
He was double vaccinated and, in the same series that it emerged three pros hadn’t been jabbed, criticised anyone who turned it down.
In September, Craig said: “This is no different a vaccine to the flu or anything, and why people are up in arms about it I have no idea.
“I think it’s ridiculous. I do know someone that is refusing to have it and that drives me nuts.”
So far this year, an unnamed pro caught Covid just before the series started then Tom Fletcher, 36, and partner Amy Dowden, 31, tested positive as well as Loose Women star, Judi Love, 41.
