Devoted fans of the BBC's flagship dance competition Strictly Come Dancing have been left utterly astonished by a recent revelation concerning one of the show's most prominent judges. It has emerged that Motsi Mabuse, a mainstay on the Strictly panel since 2019, is a former champion of the German adaptation of the hit deception game show The Traitors.
A Hidden Triumph Comes to Light
The global phenomenon of The Traitors continues to captivate audiences, with its various international iterations drawing significant viewership. While UK fans recently celebrated the conclusion of series four on BBC One, presented by Claudia Winkleman, many were completely unaware of Motsi Mabuse's parallel success in Germany. The 44-year-old judge, who resides in Germany, participated in the third series of the show, locally titled Die Verräter, which aired on the RTL network last year.
In a strategic masterstroke, Mabuse was selected as one of the four initial Traitors at the programme's outset. Demonstrating remarkable guile and alliance-building, she and two of her fellow deceivers managed to navigate the game's treacherous waters together, surviving until the very end to claim victory as a triumphant trio. The series is not currently available for viewing in the United Kingdom, which contributed to the secretive nature of her win.
Social Media Erupts with Surprise
The belated discovery of Mabuse's televised triumph has sparked a wave of reactions across social media platforms, particularly on X. Fans expressed their collective shock at the news, which had seemingly flown under the radar for many.
One astonished viewer posted: 'Just discovered that Motsi Mabuse won the German version of The Traitors last year yet no one’s ever mentioned it?'
Another fan declared: 'It's a crime that I only just found this out.'
A third reacted with excitement: 'And she was a TRAITOR? And won it with two other female Traitors. This is incredible I need to watch it immediately.'
Family Support and Personal Reflection
At the time of the German show's original broadcast, Motsi received vocal support from her sister, former Strictly professional dancer Oti Mabuse. Oti took to Instagram to share her enthusiasm, writing: ‘Guys @motsimabuse is on Celebrity Traitors in Germany and she’s a TRAITOR!! Can’t wait to follow her journey.’
Following her successful win, Motsi Mabuse herself reflected on her experience via Instagram. In a poignant post, she stated: ‘You hated me before the game even started right. Too present. Too dangerous. And when I played, I really played. Suddenly it was ‘TOO MUCH’ (nothing new). I don’t play to be liked. I played to be played. With a piece of mind. With an attitude. And with women by my side who knew what they were doing.'
Connections to the UK Series
The revelation creates a fascinating link between two of the BBC's most popular entertainment shows. Motsi Mabuse's former Strictly Come Dancing co-presenter, Claudia Winkleman, is the host of the highly successful UK version of The Traitors. The latest series concluded recently with Traitors Stephen Libby and Rachel Duffy securing a joint victory and splitting a prize fund of £95,750.
After their win, Rachel Duffy expressed her elation, saying: 'It is the best feeling in the world. I really thought it was such a big achievement to be the first female Traitor to make it to the final, then win.' Stephen Libby added: 'I can't believe I've just won The Traitors. I'm just a wee boy from the Isle of Lewis. This kind of stuff doesn't really happen to me.'
Future of The Traitors Franchise
For fans eager for more deceptive drama, the wait will not be excessively long. The BBC has confirmed that the Celebrity Traitors spin-off format will return to BBC One in 2026, following its well-received debut. This ensures the enduring popularity of the franchise will continue to deliver suspense and intrigue to audiences across the nation. All episodes of The Traitors remain available for streaming on BBC iPlayer.
