Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse is backing AJ Odudu ahead of the final - despite her "traumatic" injury.
The television presenter is currently on crutches, having injured her foot in rehearsals for the BBC One show's final this Saturday - but Motsi has urged viewers at home not to count her out and think she could go all the way and win the show.
The judge appeared on Strictly: It Takes Two on Thursday evening, where she discussed AJ's past performances and the chance of her being the one who lifts the Glitterball trophy with Kai Widdrington this weekend.
Speaking about AJ's chances, Motsi told host Janette Manrara: "First of all she’s done a great, great job. Honestly watching AJ every week perform I think is going to move so many people.
"Strictly's worldwide so, so many little girls are going to see her and we didn’t have that, I didn’t have that as a little girl so watching her do that, I absolutely loved her and she’s shining. I think she’s got that strength."
She added: "Don’t just put her to the side, she has that strength, she has shown it, she’s been in the dance-off, she came back stronger, so all I can say is just put your heart on the dancefloor, take care of yourself but go out there and have a really great time."
AJ was previously in tears as she discussed her injury earlier this week.
"I'm upset because I've suffered an injury, I don't know when it happened but essentially I've got issues with my joint, I've suffered some traumatic injury to my ligaments, there's a lot of inflammation," she explained.
"I can't pinpoint when it happened during training, in fact we felt really positive after training on Monday, I felt fine. But the pain came on so quickly and acutely, that I actually projectile vomited.
She cried as she added: "I'm unable to stand on my right foot and I can't stand up without crutches, and I'm really upset, I'm sorry.
"And, of course, I've got Kai who is really holding me together physically and emotionally right now."
Fellow judge Craig Revel-Horwood is hopeful AJ will still perform during the final, as he shared: "Like any sportsperson you soldier on. She’s worked months and months to get to this point. I think she just went over on it and hurt a ligament. I’ve been through this myself. I had an injection to get through the actual performance of it and then it was fine."
