Strictly Come Dancing judges Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse are 'racing to shed pounds gained in lockdown' before the 2021 series kicks off on September 18, according to reports.
Speaking in a new interview, head judge Shirley, 61, revealed she had gained 20lbs since the first UK lockdown, explaining: 'Over lockdown I gained some weight, so I'm trying to get back to where is comfortable for me.'
Meanwhile, 40-year-old Motsi - who has lost 1st 4lb this year - said: 'I'm taking care of myself. I invested in a Peloton bike – which I love.'
Race: Strictly Come Dancing judges Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse are 'racing to shed pounds gained in lockdown' before the 2021 series kicks off (pictured together in 2019)
New series: The nineteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing is set to kick off in ten days, followed by the first live show on the 25th
Speaking to The Mirror, Shirley revealed her ideal weight is '8st 8lb'.
According to the paper, the award-winning dancer is 'a stone heavier' than she wants to be, however has lost some of the weight by 'exercising and only eating between midday and 6pm'.
Speaking of her 12-week health kick, Motsi said she starts her day with 'cold tea and water,' the paper added.
'Fitness has also made me take care of what I eat. Chocolate, sweets and wine can take you off your routine,' Motsi explained.
Wow! Ahead of the BBC series' exciting launch, the Strictly pro dancers posed for dazzling group shots as they geared up to put this year's batch of celebrities through their paces
The nineteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing is set to kick off in ten days, followed by the first live show on the 25th.
And ahead of the BBC series' exciting launch, the Strictly pro dancers posed for dazzling group shots on Tuesday as they geared up to put this year's batch of celebrities through their paces.
The dancers looked stunning as they donned their most glittering, glamorous ensembles and pulled off their best poses for the snap taken in Elstree Studios.
Golden girls: Among the pros returning for the new series are reigning champion Oti Mabuse, who looked fabulous in a zebra-print, tasseled number as she posed with the likes of likes of Diane Buswell, Karen Hauer and Katya Jones
The group appeared ready and raring to go as they excitedly posed for the professional pictures all together, before splitting off into groups of girls and boys.
Among the pros returning for the new series are reigning champion Oti Mabuse, who looked fabulous in a zebra-print, tasseled number.
While the likes of Diane Buswell, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones and Luba Mushtuk cut effortlessly glam figures in the snap.
Here come the boys: Meanwhile, Graziano Di Prima showed off his muscular physique in a sheer shirt as he posed alongside other returning male pros including Giovanni Pernice, Gorka Marquez and Johannes Radebe
Meanwhile, Graziano Di Prima showed off his muscular physique in a sheer shirt as he posed alongside other returning male pros including Giovanni Pernice, Gorka Marquez and Johannes Radebe.
Other popular faces also included in the snap are Aljaž Škorjanec, Amy Dowden, Nadiya Bychkova, Nancy Xu and Neil Jones.
Meanwhile, fans will notice some new faces in the midst, with professionals Cameron Lombard, Jowita Przystal, Kai Widdrington and Nikita Kuzmin joining the line-up this year.
One person missing from the line-up is of course Anton Du Beke, who this year has swapped his dance shoes for a stint behind the judges desk as Bruno Tonioli's replacement.
New role: One person missing from the line-up is of course Anton Du Beke, who this year has swapped his dance shoes for a stint behind the judges desk as Bruno Tonioli's replacement (pictured in 2021)
No show for him: Anton will take over from Bruno Tonioli , who remains unable to take part due to travel uncertainty caused by the pandemic (pictured in 2021)
The 55-year-old professional dancer, who filled in as a judge for a two-week stint during the 2020 series, will join Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi and Shirley full-time for the forthcoming series of the BBC One show.
He will take over from Bruno, who remains unable to take part due to travel uncertainty caused by the pandemic.
Elsewhere, rugby Union ace Ugo Monye was confirmed as the 15th and final contestant for the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing, completing the star-studded line-up which includes Tom Fletcher, Coronation Street's Katie McGlynn, Tilly Ramsay and EastEnders' Nina Wadia.
The veteran dance show was famously disrupted in 2020 thanks to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
