The glitz and glamour of Strictly Come Dancing took a dramatic turn during Saturday’s (October 4) live show, as judge Motsi Mabuse found herself at the center of a storm of controversy. Fans of the beloved BBC dance competition flooded social media with outrage after what many deemed insensitive remarks directed at contestant Karen Carney and professional dancer Dianne Buswell. The backlash has left viewers questioning whether Motsi’s critiques crossed the line from constructive to callous.
Former professional footballer Karen Carney, 38, bravely opened up about her lifelong battle with Scheuermann’s disease, a spinal condition that causes curvature of the spine, during the second week of Strictly. Paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, the Solihull native candidly shared how the condition limits her ability to fully open her back, impacting her performance in ballroom dances that demand precise posture.
Despite scoring a respectable 20 points for her routine, Karen’s heartfelt disclosure was met with a surprising response from Motsi. The judge acknowledged Karen’s openness but then remarked, “It’s going to be something that we have to challenge to see how far we can really stretch and open up because it’s a ballroom dance and there’s a specific posture that we need.” She also noted a dip in Karen’s confidence compared to her leaderboard-topping performance the previous week, citing nerves as a factor.
Fans were quick to slam Motsi’s comments as tone-deaf, accusing her of dismissing the realities of Karen’s condition. One viewer took to X, fuming, “Quite disgusted that Karen opened up about having a condition that causes a curved spine and Motsi’s reaction was to say they should ‘challenge’ it instead of accommodating it #Strictly #SCD.” Another, who also lives with a spinal curvature, echoed the sentiment: “Love to know how Motsi thinks I could change it!” A third questioned, “Did Motsi just suggest that Karen has to ‘work’ on her spine curvature?”
However, not all viewers interpreted Motsi’s words as harshly. One fan offered a more sympathetic take, suggesting, “I understood it as her saying they would be pushing it to see what she can do within her limits… she also thanked her for talking about it, which I took as them being glad they were informed of an extra challenge.”
Motsi’s critiques didn’t stop with Karen. She also stirred controversy with comments directed at Neighbours actor Stefan Dennis, 66, and his professional partner, Dianne Buswell, 36, who is expecting her first child with partner Joe Sugg. The duo performed a lively Cha Cha to Give It Up by KC and The Sunshine Band, earning a modest 17 points. While Motsi praised their vibrant energy, describing them as “like sunshine when you pair up together,” she quickly turned to what she called “the elephant in the room”—small errors that crept into their routine.
“There were mistakes, guys, sorry, let’s just be honest,” Motsi told the pair, drawing boos from the studio audience. “Just let’s try next time to rehearse and stick to the routine.” Dianne, visibly taken aback, defended their preparation, retorting, “I don’t know how much more we can rehearse, Motsi!” Undeterred, Motsi doubled down, saying, “Find a way, I don’t know, we have to get one performance without those tiny creepers in there.”
The exchange left a sour taste for many viewers, who felt Motsi’s suggestion that the pair hadn’t rehearsed enough was unfair. One fan vented on X, “I’m sorry but it’s clear that Stefan and Dianne have been rehearsing all day, every day, all week… they can’t magic more time… such an uncalled for comment! #Strictly.” Another added, “I thought Motsi was rude to both Karen and Dianne tonight. With the curved spine comment and the train more comments to Dianne. Not fair at all.”
Stefan later admitted to feeling “petrified” before the performance, confessing that the Cha Cha had “stumped” him, adding further context to the challenges he faced.
Saturday’s show was already charged with emotion, with Karen’s vulnerability and Stefan’s nerves laying bare the personal stakes for the contestants. Karen’s openness about her Scheuermann’s disease highlighted her resilience, as she explained how Carlos’s encouragement helped her push through the physical limitations. Meanwhile, Stefan, the oldest competitor this series, showed grit in tackling a demanding routine despite his self-professed fear.
Yet, it was Motsi’s responses that stole the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Her remarks, perceived by many as lacking empathy, sparked a broader conversation about how judges balance critique with sensitivity, especially when addressing contestants’ personal challenges.
As the dust settles, fans are left divided. While some defend Motsi, arguing her comments were meant to encourage growth within the dancers’ capabilities, the overwhelming sentiment online suggests she misjudged the tone. The controversy has cast a shadow over what should have been a celebratory night of dance, leaving viewers eagerly awaiting how Motsi, Karen, Dianne, and the Strictly team address the backlash in the coming weeks.