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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Louise Randell

Strictly Come Dancing judges to stamp out bad behaviour from pros

The Strictly Come Dancing judges are going to be clamping down on bad behaviour from the pros this year.

Previous seasons have been blighted by rows between the dancers the panel, including a famous feud between Brendan Cole and Shirley Ballas in 2017.

Motsi Mabuse, 38, has joined the panel to replace Darcey Bussell for the 2019 series, and she's warned they won't tolerate any angry outbursts from the dancers.

She told the Daily Star Sunday : "My tip for the professional dancers would be to try to see things objectively.

"Sometimes the professionals can get over emotional about a certain situation.

“It doesn’t last forever and life goes on, so try to check your reaction to what’s happening.”

Motsi Mabuse is the new judge on the panel (BBC/Ray Burmiston)

Brendan Cole's feud with Shirley exploded onscreen when he fought back after she critiqued his routine.

Just months later, he was dropped from the Strictly line-up but it's since been denied that the feud led to the axing.

The latest news comes after the Mirror exclusively revealed there's going to be a massive shake-up next year as BBC chiefs will allow a same-sex couple to take part for the first time.

Judge Craig Revel Horwood has long campaigned for a change in the rules so that males and females are permitted to perform with one another.

Motsi and Shirley Ballas (Getty)

And it has emerged that the broadcaster's policy towards allowing the change – which it had previously refused to consider – has now been officially relaxed.

One insider revealed: "Bosses have said while there aren't any same sex pairings in this series, they'd definitely be open to it, given the right combination of celebs and dancers. The show's always been inclusive and reflects modern Britain.”

The source explained the BBC bosses had their change of heart after realising that other nations had happily accepted the idea.

“Having previously thought it was unnecessary, it has dawned on people at the BBC that the original British show looks a bit backwards in not having embraced the notion of a same-sex couple.


“It could well be that we follow the Aussie model and go for a charismatic drag act, because Courtney Act proved hugely popular with traditionally conservative Australian viewers.


“And why not shake things up a bit over here? It’ll be fun. Exciting times are ahead.”

Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@trinitymirror.com or call us direct 0207 29 33033.

*Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday September 7 on BBC1

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