Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse has defended head judge Shirley Ballas, who often comes under fire over who she sends home from the BBC ballroom contest.
Motsi - sister of pro dancer Oti Mabuse and became a judge on the series in 2019 when Darcey Bussell stepped down - told OK! Magazine: 'Shirley and I are always writing to and checking up on each other.
'I have a lot of respect for Shirley. She loves women who are capable of having their own energy because that is Shirley, and so she respects when she can see that someone's working hard and has a good energy.
Pals: Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse has defended head judge Shirley Ballas, who often comes under fire over who she sends home from the BBC ballroom contest
'I will always support Shirley. She's the head judge so she's got huge pressure. And she's also a woman, let's be honest.
'If a man does it, it's okay, but if a woman is head of something, some people still have their own issues with that. But that's their problem – she's doing a great job.'
Shirley received death threats online after she and her fellow judges opted to eliminate DJ Dev Griffin during the 2019 season of the show.
She explained during a TV appearance at the time that a picture was posted online of her digging her own grave with a caption which read 'Die B****'.
Motsi told OK! Magazine: 'Shirley and I are always writing to and checking up on each other. I have a lot of respect for Shirley. She loves women who are capable of having their own energy because that is Shirley, and so she respects when she can see that someone's working hard and has a good energy!'
The abuse came after the judges unanimously opted to send home Dev and his professional partner Dianne Buswell following an unexpected dance-off against Viscountess Emma Weymouth and Aljaž Škorjanec.
Some fans had taken to Twitter to claim they 'couldn't vote' for Dev and Dianne because the show's phone line 'would not accept calls', leading to viewers branding the show a 'fix'.
Shirley said of the abuse she received: 'Somebody put a picture with my face on it digging my own grave [with a comment] 'Die B****' and put me on a chicken spit.'
Tough decision: Shirley received death threats online after she and her fellow judges opted to eliminate DJ Dev Griffin during the 2019 season of the show
Motsi said she was left 'upset' and 'angry' by the abuse.
'I get so upset - well angry - then I write everything down, I answer them then I go to my husband and I put on my angry voice and [read my response]. Then he's like "Okay darling, do you feel better?" and I'm like, "Yes!"'
Motsi added that she warns her mother not to read the comments after she attempted to defend her daughter online.
'For [my mum] it's really crazy, the interest in us,' she said. 'I told her, "Mum, do not read anything on social media."
Close bond: 'I will always support Shirley. She's the head judge so she's got huge pressure. And she's also a woman, let's be honest,' Motsi said
'She is like in every Strictly group and she's answering [comments]. I'm like "Do not answer these people!"
'Her name is her real name and she just said to me, "What would you do if it was your daughter?", I said, "I wouldn't answer, I wouldn't read that stuff!"'
Taking part this year is Katie McGlynn - who sliced open her foot during filming for the new series last week.
The Coronation Street actress, 27, is said to have been left in 'severe pain' after kicking the Glitterball trophy in a filming gaffe, on Friday.
Katie's spokesperson told MailOnline: 'During filming promotional content for Strictly, Katie accidentally sustained a small cut to her foot as a result of kicking a prop.
Ouch! Katie McGlynn sliced open her foot during filming for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing on Monday (Pictured in 2019)
'The injury is minimal, doesn't require any further attention and she is completely fine'
It's claimed that Rochdale-born Katie was unaware that the Glitterball on
