Monday 12 September 2022 12:43 AM Motsi Mabuse claims there's no strong friendships between the Strictly Come ... trends now

Motsi Mabuse claims there are no strong blonds between the Strictly Come Dancing judges, insisting the panel gets the job done but is not friendly outside of work.

The twinkle-toed star, 41, who has been a judge on the BBC ballroom dance contest since 2019, says she and Anton Du Beke, 56, Craig Revel Horwood, 57, and head judge Shirley Ballas, 62, may wish each other well on special occasions but otherwise they all prefer spending time apart at home.

When asked if they are 'pals' and spend time together outside of work, she told The Telegraph: 'No. None of that. There are some moments where you write “Happy birthday” or something like that.'

Describing their relationship as 'professional’, she added: ‘In Germany, we’ve had the same judges for 10 years and there’s a basis of friendship. In the UK, it’s different.’ 

'There’s so much pressure – it’s prime time, so you get in, you do the job and everybody just wants to go home,' she explained.

Strictly Come Dancing has a rumoured 'curse' on the relationships on the show, allegedly putting them under strain.

It is believed the curse is the reason many relationships have ended over the years after one half of a couple took part in the television competition, with both professionals and celebrities ditching their partners and starting up a romance with their dance partners on the show.

However, this year, the stars are insistent this will not be the case for them, with the likes of Matt Goss and Molly Rainford speaking out before the show gets underway.

Bros singer Matt, 53, has said he is not scared of the 'Strictly curse' and that he just wants to have fun on the programme.

The star has said his girlfriend Chantal Brown is backing him on the BBC contest and is unfazed by the supposed curse, which has seen several contestants break-up with their partners over the years.

He told The Sun: 'The Strictly curse doesn't concern me at all, I'm there to learn and that's it, I respect the dancers and their ability. I want to do my best.'

The singer, who recently ended an 11-year residency in Las Vegas, added: 'Chantal is very supportive, she wants me to smash it and she is going to come and watch.

'She says, "go and have the best time. I want you to have an amazing experience".'

Matt began dating his jewellery designer girlfriend Chantal earlier this year and recently told The Daily Mail she is 'sensitive, kind and makes me laugh'.

Meawhile, Molly Rainford has said that she will be steering clear of all that drama when she stars on the show this autumn.

The 21-year-old singer was unveiled as part of the 2022 lineup last month and, speaking to The Sun, she has opened up on the so-called Strictly curse and firmly ruled herself out of falling for it.

She insisted she was too young for a relationship, preferring to be laser focussed on her career.  

Molly - who also stars in the CBBC series Nova Jones - also revealed her parents have warned her not to become 'distracted' by boys.

She said: 'I’m only 21, so I’m not looking for a relationship on Strictly. That’s not in the picture right now. I want to focus on my career.

'My parents don’t want me to be distracted or worrying about boys just yet. I’m single and don’t plan on changing it.'

It comes as last year's Strictly winner Rose Ayling-Ellis has 'grown apart' from long-term boyfriend Sam Arnold, it has been reported.

The EastEnders actress, 27, has been with her partner for seven years, with him cheering her on as she lifted the glitterball trophy with partner

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