Strictly’s newest judge learned to stick up for herself in apartheid-era South Africa. She talks racism, the ‘rift’ with her sister Oti – and learning to dance amid knife fights

Motsi Mabuse is remembering the rough dance halls of apartheid-era South Africa and the shocking sights she would see as she took her first tentative steps across their floors. “When we had competitions,” she says, “we didn’t have security and people would be drunk and starting fights. We were just kids and we’d watch people with knives running through while we were in the middle of a routine. Compared to that, Strictly isn’t so difficult.”

Mabuse, the newest judge on Strictly Come Dancing, first fell for the glitterball world at the age of nine after watching couples waltz, swing and cha-cha-cha while on holiday in Durban. “What I love about my parents is that they didn’t say: ‘Oh, you can’t do that.’ They found a way. But we had a lot of backlash, being the only black kids. People would laugh at us and call us names. We were bullied, but we just kept on coming back – and then we beat them.”

H from Steps brought tears to the judges’ eyes with his performance. Now, more than ever, we must cherish these moments of LGBTQ visibility

One of the most peculiar aspects of realising that you are LGBTQ is the loneliness. Your immediate family is unlikely to belong to the minority you may feel you have been arbitrarily parachuted into. You may be fortunate that they have supportive attitudes; many are not. The odds are that you have heard derogatory terms about LGBTQ people thrown around the playground not once or twice but like confetti. On TV and film screens, on advertising billboards, in magazines and in books, society’s expectations about settling down with someone of a different gender will bellow at you. You may struggle to come out to yourself, let alone anyone else, and fear judgment and rejection.

That is why major cultural events, such as the first same-sex performance on ITV’s Dancing on Ice last night, are so important: they can be lifelines for the closeted, whether they are aged 13 or 78. Acceptance for LGBTQ people struggling with their sexuality is like water to a sponge: anything that showcases and values our existence has a profound impact. That’s why H from Steps – one half of the couple – told the judges that it was emotional, in part because “it means so much to so many people and the world is ready for this”. It’s why the actor John Barrowman broke down in tears “because of seeing two men who represent someone who is like me and to skate as well as you did”. What’s all the fuss, the usual suspects will cry, but it matters precisely because society, and particularly currently emboldened bigots, makes such a fuss about anyone who deviates from a heterosexual norm.

Singer imprisoned for nine years for getting teenagers to send him explicit pictures

A former star of The X Factor has been jailed for nine years for sexually exploiting seven teenage boys.

Danny Tetley, from Bradford, was described as “a despicable creature with very few redeeming features” for encouraging the youngsters to send him explicit pictures in exchange for money.

Model Halima Aden has been writing thank you notes to keep her spirits up during the coronavirus lockdown.

Sebastian Stan appears opposite Shailene Woodley and Jamie Dornan in the new film.

Selling a fridge would normally be a straightforward affair — money is exchanged, the other person gets the appliance.

For Emily Hastings and her husband Emmanuel it turned into a photo opportunity, when Australia's former prime minister Tony Abbott turned up to their Sydney home to buy their three-year-old Daewoo refrigerator

My husband with Tony Abbott the proud new owner of our 3 year old Daewoo fridge bought on gumtree for $300 #gumtree #tonyabbott

A photo posted by Emily Hastings (@emilyhastings_) on Dec 4, 2015 at 4:36pm PST Read more...

Company expects to be cash flow positive in the next two quarters.

Leeds United legend and one of England's 1966 World Cup winners Norman Hunter has been admitted to hospital after testing positive for coronavirus.

The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust (THST) has warned that the board's decision to furlough staff has potentially "damaged the club's reputation" and "exhausted any future goodwill" from fans.

Former Arsenal man Paul Merson believes football's coronavirus shutdown may end up giving Alexis Sanchez a second chance at Manchester United.

Rangers have called for SPFL's chief executive Neil Doncaster and its legal adviser Rod McKenzie to be suspended "while an independent investigation is conducted' following their vote on how to end the season.

Liverpool legend Sir Kenny Dalglish has reiterated his "immense gratitude" to the NHS following his release from hospital and urged people to stay at home during the coronavirus pandemic.

Ivan Rakitic has warned Barcelona he wants to be "where he is valued" amid growing transfer speculation.

Sacked Arsenal manager Unai Emery "blamed" ex-girlfriend Sacha Wright for losing his job with the Gunners.

Frank Lampard has revealed Chelsea are ready to execute various different transfer plans depending on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Gary Neville claims Tottenham star Harry Kane has 'deliberately opened the door' for a move away from north London.

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata believes former Chelsea team-mate Eden Hazard is among the very best players in Premier League history.

Ivan Rakitic has made 299 appearances for Barcelona in all competitions and remains the only midfielder to score for the Catalan club in a European Cup final. At Camp Nou, his name is still cheered by fans.

The 21-year-old has been tipped to become the greatest right-back in Premier League history

Steve Sidwell has revealed a number of Chelsea players were crying on the floor after learning of Jose Mourinho's departure from the club in 2007.

Harry Kane's departure from Tottenham is "inevitable", according to former West Ham player Tony Cottee.

Bruno Fernandes has revealed that his instinctive free-kick to tee up a goal for Anthony Martial against rivals Manchester City was entirely unplanned.

Half of Premier League's clubs will push to see the season ended by the traditional June 30 deadline at Friday's shareholders' meeting, even if all games are not completed.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has insisted there were no feelings of 'I told you so' towards Arsenal after his move to Liverpool resulted in Champions League success.

Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold dominated Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior to reach the quarter-finals on an enthralling second day of the virtual Stay and Play Cup.

Maurizio Sarri has revealed how he shared a "conflicted relationship" with his Chelsea squad but admits he misses the Premier League, describing it as "extraordinary".

Brighton's Amex Stadium has been converted into a drive-in coronavirus testing centre for key workers during the pandemic.

Former Bradford City striker Billy Clarke is raffling off a shirt worn by Cesc Fabregas during the Bantams' famous 2015 FA Cup win over Chelsea to raise money for the NHS.

Damien Comolli, the former Liverpool and Tottenham director of football, believes the transfer window will be very different next time around due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Emre Can has expressed sympathy for former club Liverpool over their ongoing title dilemma.

Uefa will hold a video conference call today where there will discuss updated plans to conclude the 2019-20 football season amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Alexis Sanchez has suffered a "very tortuous" spell since leaving Arsenal for Manchester United, says Chile coach Reinaldo Rueda.

The agent of Achraf Hakimi believes the right-back is the best in the world alongside Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold, and has warned Real Madrid that the player is wanted by 'all of Europe' this summer.

Jurgen Klopp has suggested that he could turn to a promising group of young players to help Liverpool take the next step in their development.

Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen has hinted that he will look to leave the club once his contract expires this summer.

It seems football is as much about looking the part is it is playing the part these days, and as such there is always plenty of excitement and speculation around kits at this time of year.

Manchester United are among the clubs to have their possible new shirt designs for the 2020-21 season leaked online.

Ray Parlour has blasted former club Arsenal's lack of leadership, defending Mesut Ozil as he stalls on taking a pay cut.

Wolves' Diogo Jota snatched victory in the final of the Fifa 20 ePremier League Invitational with a dramatic 2-1 victory against Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Arsenal players will be permitted limited access to the club's London Colney training grounds from next week.

Stephen Warnock sees the 4-0 rout as a turning point in the Premier League title race

SPECIAL REPORT

Liverpool have confirmed that plans to expand the Anfield Road end of the club's home ground have been delayed by 'at least' 12 months due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Premier League clubs expect the transfer window to be delayed until late August at the earliest as English football remains gripped by uncertainty.