Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse created two memorable moments of unscripted drama during Saturday's tense quarter-final, first scolding professional dancer Neil Jones before later forgetting a fellow pro's name in what she called a 'perimenopausal moment'.
A Stern Warning From the Judge's Desk
The 44-year-old BBC judge did not hold back when she heard booing from the balcony where the professional dancers were watching. As she was giving feedback to Karen Carney and Carlos Gu after their samba, Motsi swung her head towards the crowd and directly addressed Neil Jones.
She issued a playful but pointed threat, saying: 'Neil, you get a partner next year, and I will be careful which numbers I will be pulling!' To emphasise her point, she held up a paddle displaying the number two, adding: 'There will be no noise from you!'
The 'Perimenopausal Moment' Memory Lapse
Later in the Musicals Week episode, another candid incident unfolded. While giving feedback to celebrity contestant Balvinder Sopal and her professional partner after their Viennese Waltz to 'Never Enough' from *The Greatest Showman*, Motsi momentarily blanked on the dancer's name.
She began, 'Balvinder, honestly, we were holding hands throughout that dance. From the very moment you started, and your dance partner, his name is Julian, he came over, just...' As she trailed off, she openly attributed the lapse to her 'perimenopause brain', quickly correcting herself: 'just reminding myself it is Julian'.
Emotional Moments and a Celebrity Conversion
The episode was filled with high emotion. Balvinder Sopal, an EastEnders star, broke down in tears after her performance and was comforted by host Tess Daly. Judge Motsi swiftly rose from her desk to console the contestant in a heartfelt moment. The tears continued when Balvinder received a supportive video message from her young nieces.
In another standout segment, contestant George Clarke, who had previously admitted to 'hating' musicals, was stunned by a surprise video message. Following his Argentine Tango to 'The Point of No Return' from *The Phantom of the Opera*, legendary composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, 77, appeared on screen.
Lloyd Webber, in character, delivered a message from the Phantom himself, concluding: 'I trust that your conversion to musicals is now complete, lest a disaster should occur beyond your imagination.' A smiling George confirmed to host Claudia Winkleman that he was now a converted fan.
The quarter-final, which saw Balvinder and Julian score their highest marks of the series with 35 points, proved to be a night where behind-the-scenes reactions and personal confessions shared the spotlight with the dancing itself.
