Ex Strictly dancer Kristina Rihanoff likes tweet shading new judge Motsi Mabuse
FORMER Strictly Come Dancing star Kristina Rihanoff has liked a tweet shading new judge Motsi Mabuse. Oti Mabuse’s older sister Motsi was revealed to be the new recruit taking over from Darcey Bussell on the BBC 1 show yesterday. And while Kristina, 41, hasn’t danced on the show since 2015, she still likes to comment […]
FORMER Strictly Come Dancing star Kristina Rihanoff has liked a tweet shading new judge Motsi Mabuse.
Oti Mabuse’s older sister Motsi was revealed to be the new recruit taking over from Darcey Bussell on the BBC 1 show yesterday.
And while Kristina, 41, hasn’t danced on the show since 2015, she still likes to comment on the latest Strictly updates on her social media.
The professional dancer is yet to make a comment of her own about Darcey’s replacement, however she liked a tweet which read: “New judge , I mean c’mon ” #Strictly”
Motsi, 38, will take over from the Dame on the hit show’s judging panel following her decision to quit in April after seven years.
It means she will have to score her youngster sister Oti, 28 — a move which is likely to raise eyebrows among other dancers and viewers.
But it is not a new scenario as she is a judge on the German version of Strictly, called Let’s Dance, which Oti has danced on for two series.
The Sun understands that the other judges — Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli — were not consulted about her appointment, and were only told today ahead of the formal confirmation.
A source said: “Bosses were delighted with Motsi in her screen test and are confident she will become a household name like her younger sister.
“She’s got all the experience from doing Let’s Dance in Germany and is great in front of the camera.”
In a statement, Motsi said: “I am absolutely overjoyed to be joining the Strictly judging panel.
“I have so much respect and admiration for the other three judges and hope to add my own bit of sparkle to the show. I can’t wait to get started!”
Strictly’s Executive Producer Sarah James added: “I am incredibly excited that Motsi Mabuse is joining the show.
“Motsi’s natural warmth, energy and passion for dance makes her the perfect addition to our esteemed judging panel.”
However, Kristina was previously vocal about wanting to take over from Darcey herself.
She retweeted a post from her fan page declaring that she would be “fantastic” in the role, but one follower replied: “Not while Shirley’s head judge!!”
Shirley, 56, was married to Corky Ballas for nearly two decades and was shocked when he went off with his much younger dance pupil Kristina.
Though the Strictly head judge had separated from Corky, also 56, when he started the new relationship, Shirley was yet to divorce him.
The fan account posted a picture of their hero in the wake of Darcey’s surprise resignation from the Strictly panel after seven years.
It said: “Kristina as the new #strictly judge ? Would love this, she would be fantastic ! 
@bbcstrictly.”
Kristina then retweeted it, only for a fan to point out that Shirley might block her appointment.
The star replied: “Am I missing something then ? Lol didn’t think there was an issue.”
Kristina first appeared on Strictly in 2008 and was a regular on the show until 2015.
Her first dance partner was John Sergeant followed by Joe Calzaghe, DJ Goldie, John Barrowman, Jason Donovan, Colin Salmon, Ben Cohen, Simon Webbe and Daniel O’Donnell.
She never partnered a winner on the show, but came second with Simon Webbe back in 2014.
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On the show she gained a reputation for being a maneater after romancing pro Vincent Simone, Joe Calzaghe and eventually Ben Cohen, all of whom were with other women when she seduced them.
Kristina met boyfriend Ben Cohen when they were partnered together on Strictly in 2013, however despite being married at the time, the rugby player denies that their relationship was more than friendship until after he had left his then wife Abby.
The pair welcomed their daughter Milena in June 2016.
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