Motsi Mabuse has opened up on motherhood, saying she wants ‘to spend every breathing second’ with her two-year-old daughter.
The Strictly Come Dancing judge is still working out how to split her time between her family in Germany and filming the show in the UK when it returns in the autumn.
Constantly changing travel restrictions mean she ‘will have to wait and see’ how the international commute will work.
Doting mum: Motsi Mabuse has opened up on motherhood, saying she wants ‘to spend every breathing second’ with her two-year-old daughter
She told Hello!: ‘The most important thing for me is the safety of me, my family and the Strictly team.’
The 39-year-old said she and her husband, dancer Evgenij Voznyuk, were enjoying spending time with their little girl, whose name she keeps private.
‘I love this stage of motherhood,’ she said. ‘It’s such a beautiful time because she’s learning to speak, she’s very expressive, she’s a strong girl and very cheeky.
‘There’s new things happening every day. I want to spend every breathing second with her.’
The South African-born dancer recently revealed she was often in tears when she left her daughter to fly to the UK each Saturday for the live recording of last year’s series.
‘I cry quite often when I’m in the plane,’ she said. ‘But I’ve never missed a doctor’s appointment. I’ve literally come back home for two hours to take her to the doctor and then flown back.
Baby girl: The 39-year-old said she and her husband, dancer Evgenij Voznyuk, were enjoying spending time with their little girl, whose name she keeps private
‘I love my job and I’m providing for her. I’m providing for my family so that we have stability. That is so important for me.’
Motsi also added that, in her opinion, her co-star Bruno Tonioli is totally ‘irreplaceable’.
The dancing ace hinted on Sunday that the flamboyant judge, 64, will not be replaced by a guest judge during his absence from the show.
Bruno will be absent from the Saturday night judging panel when the BBC One show returns.
He is currently in the US for Dancing With The Stars and will appear full-time towards the end of the series.
Judge Motsi told the magazine: ‘I think everybody has a special spot on the judging panel and Bruno is not replaceable.
Overseas: The flamboyant judge, 64, will be absent from the Saturday night judging panel when the BBC One show returns as he will be filming in the US for Dancing With The Stars
Despite his absense, Bruno will still have a presence on the show as he will connect via video link for the Strictly results on Sunday nights.
Speaking about the judges’ remote interaction, Motsi added: ‘We all have to adjust.
‘[Remote judging] may be an aspect of the show that we never knew was missing. We will have to see what works as we go.’
Special: Speaking about her co-star, the professional dancer, 39 said to Hello! magazine: ‘I think everybody has a special spot on the judging panel and Bruno is not replaceable’
Motsi reflected on becoming a judge on the show, she said: ‘I’m like lightning – I came, did my thing on Strictly and I think I left an impression. This year, I will be able to leave even more’
Out now! Read her full interview is in Hello! magazine, out now
When asked if a guest judge will fill in for him, Bruno previously told The Sun: ‘That’s up to them, it’s not my call.
‘On Dancing With The Stars we only have three judges and that works fine.’
Motsi reflected on her return to the show after making her debut alongside Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno last year.
She added: ‘I’m like lightning – I came, did my thing on Strictly and I think I left an impression.
‘This year, I will be able to leave even more ‘Motsi’ behind.’
The full interview is in Hello! magazine, out now.