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Privacy NoticeStrictly Come Dancing has returned to BBC One after months of speculation about whether the show will air for the 20th season following abuse allegations surrounding some professional dancers. However, the judges, Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton du Beke took their seats on the panel last weekend to mark the first live show of 2024 as fans were introduced to this year’s star-studded cast. The celebrities taking part in the milestone series include the likes of DIY SOS star Nick Knowles, TOWIE’s Pete Wick, JSL band member JB Gill, opera singer Wynne Evans and Love Islander Tasha Ghouri. As it stands, JB and his partner Amy Dowden, who has made a Strictly comeback after beating breast cancer, are topping the all-important leaderboard.
The Strictly judges – Craig, Motsi, Anton and Shirley
(Image: PA)
While viewers spend the majority of the live show watching stars tackle their freshly-learned routines in the hopes of getting perfect scores, eyes are also on the judges who have undergone stunning transformations over the years. Mosti has lost two stone in recent times while Shirley has opened up about her gruelling fitness regime. So how do they stay in shape? Nataly Komova a fitness expert and personal trainer shared exclusively with OK!: “Strictly Come Dancing is a unique platform where the physical transformation of its stars often mirrors their personal growth on the show. For someone like Motsi Mabuse, shedding two stone is more than just a cosmetic goal; it’s likely the result of a calculated balance between structured cardio routines and a well-planned dietary strategy. “Her weight loss likely prioritises sustainable practices such as intermittent fasting or cyclical low-carb phases, rather than crash diets. This method ensures not only visible results but also a long-term commitment to her overall health, which is essential for the physically demanding nature of the show.” Nataly went on to look at Shirley’s routine, saying: “Shirley, on the other hand, likely combines functional training with dance-specific workouts to stay in peak condition. Given her role, her fitness regime may go beyond typical gym exercises. It’s plausible that she incorporates Pilates or ballet-inspired training, which are excellent for enhancing core stability and flexibility, crucial for long hours on her feet and the postural demands of judging. Maintaining her fitness is also about recovery; techniques like infrared saunas, deep-tissue massage, and even cryotherapy might be part of her routine to minimise muscle fatigue.” Here, we take a look at the judges’ transformations… Motsi Mabuse The 43 year old judge has always been very open about her relationship with her body. The former dancer previously admitted to The Mirror she still feels “body conscious” despite shedding two stone following a Weight Watchers plan after she gave birth to her daughter in 2018.
Motsi Mabuse has always been candid about her body image
(Image: Getty Images for Happy Size)
However, she refuses to spend too much time worrying about her weight and appearance. The star told the publication she “doesn’t want to grow old and remember years spent worrying about her body image”. Speaking to Express.co.uk following her weight loss: “For me, it works, you know Weight Watchers. It works because you can integrate it into your daily life. I think it’s very important that people don’t feel like they are missing out on something. “It was important for me to be like, ‘Ok, I can have my chocolate and I’m still losing weight’. I’ve lost 14kg and discovered the importance of self-care.” Shirley Ballas Head judge Shirley Ballas always looks glamorous and the key behind her glowing appearance could be linked to her intense fitness regime. The 64-year-old splashed out on a £2,000 Peloton bike which she spends 90 minutes on every day to keep fit. She also watches what she eats, and told The Mirror in 2021: “I do have to diet unfortunately. I have some personal issues when it comes to weight to do with myself. Even now I’m on the Peloton for an hour and a half every day trying to get the strength up and get trimmed down ready for the show.
Shirley Ballas is a huge fan of the Peloton bike
(Image: Mike Marsland/WireImage)
“It’s just personal. It’s a personal feeling. I like to feel healthy. I like to feel in shape. I like to make sure my lungs are working well for me.” Craig Revel Horwood Craig, who is known for being the ‘harshest’ judge, opened up earlier this month about suffering from an eating disorder for 25 years – revealing to the Daily Record he once lived off lettuce. The star said: “When I studied myself in the mirror every morning and night, anything that wasn’t muscle I saw as fat. I was terribly insecure about my body and having my supposed flaws judged by others. I disgusted myself and I also felt guilty about my behaviour. I was never happy with what I saw but that is what body dysmorphia and eating disorders do to you. I was paranoid about everything that passed my lips and as I’d cut out protein, my energy was low.” Sign up to OK!’s daily newsletter to get updates sent to your inbox for free
Craig Revel Horwood dealt with an eating disorder for 25 years
(Image: Brian J Ritchie/Hotsauce/REX/Shutterstock)
He was diagnosed with anorexia at a young age and admitted during the interview his battle with the disease could have killed him. Craig credits getting better with a switch from dancing to choreography in 1997 after sustaining a shoulder injury and having cortisone injections to treat the pain. Anton du Beke Well-loved judge, and former Strictly professional dancer Anton, 58, says plenty of sleep and a lifestyle without alcohol or drugs help him sustain a “good body”. Appearing on the Monday Mile podcast, Anton said: “I’ve got a lucky body, I’ve been in good shape all my life. I’ve never been out of shape. I don’t smoke, I don’t drink – I don’t do anything like that. I eat well, I sleep well and I don’t suffer from any injuries. I’ve had a good body and I’ve looked after it.” Anton, who has appeared on Strictly since its inception, added: “I’ve never taken recreational drugs and I haven’t drunk since I was 18. I’ve always done the right things but have also had great fortune with my body. It hasn’t broken down.”
Anton has appeared on Strictly since its inception
(Image: 2024 PA Media, All Rights Reserved)
Addressing the diet and exercise journeys the contestants go on, Mark Bohannon, chief experience officer at Ultimate Performance, and who trained Gemma Atkinson during her Strictly stint in 2017, exclusively told us: “Contestants naturally experience changes in their physical appearance, but the real focus is on performance. To give their best on live shows, their training and nutrition plans must be finely tuned. The contestants aren’t under pressure to look a certain way; they’re driven by the need to perform at their highest potential. “Exercise regimes and dietary adjustments are designed to enhance energy, endurance, and overall wellbeing, and as a by-product of that, we often see positive changes in body composition. Ultimately, the emphasis is on health, strength, and the ability to perform at their best, not conforming to any particular look.” Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturday, 28 September at 6.15pm on BBC One.Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnStrictly Come DancingShirley BallasCraig Revel HorwoodAnton Du BekeJB Gill
