Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse has found herself at the centre of a social media storm after viewers criticised her use of the show's iconic marking paddles.
The 'Paddle Gate' Controversy Explained
The controversy erupted following the performance of partnership Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin on Saturday night. The duo delivered a powerful Paso Doble that earned them an impressive 38 out of 40 points, placing them at the top of the leaderboard.
However, attention quickly shifted from the dancers' performance to Judge Motsi Mabuse's technique. On the BBC's official social media account, where a clip of the performance attracted over 10,000 views, fans expressed their discontent with how Motsi handled her scoring paddle.
One viewer commented directly on the BBC's post, which had described the routine as "straight up LIT" and "fierce and flawless." The critic remarked: "Can someone tell Motsi to hold the paddle up until the end of each vote. It's series 23."
Motsi's Unapologetic Response
Never one to shy away from confrontation, Motsi delivered a characteristically bold response to her critics. Addressing the complaint about paddle technique, she quipped: "You will survive, trust me."
When another social media user claimed "She can't even find the right paddle!" the Strictly judge offered a perspective on priorities, responding: "Relax !!! There are bigger problems in the world, paddle meltdown."
This isn't the first time Motsi has felt compelled to defend herself or colleagues against online criticism. Earlier this year, she spoke out in support of professional dancer Dianne Buswell, who faced scrutiny for dancing while pregnant with her first child.
A Pattern of Standing Her Ground
During the controversy surrounding Dianne Buswell's pregnancy, Motsi drew from her own experiences and background in German television. "We had a dancer on Let's Dance in Germany who was pregnant with twins, and they danced the whole time," she told Fabulous magazine.
Motsi added her doctor's advice that "You're not sick, you're pregnant" and emphasised that "As long as the doctor thinks she is fine, let the woman dance!" Her comments came after some viewers expressed discomfort watching Dianne perform while pregnant, with one Instagram user calling it "not appropriate."
Dianne herself responded to the criticism at the time, stating: "I can't believe in 2025 things like this are still being said."
The latest 'paddle gate' incident demonstrates that Motsi Mabuse continues to approach her role on the hit BBC show with the same confidence and unapologetic attitude that has become her trademark, refusing to let viewer criticism affect her judging style or online presence.
