Motsi Mabuse has told 'Strictly Come Dancing' fans not to rule out AJ Odudu lifting the Glitterball Trophy, despite the star picking up an "agonising" injury.
Motsi Mabuse isn't ruling out injured AJ Odudu winning this year's Strictly
The 40-year-old dancer - who is a judge on the Latin and ballroom show - believes AJ is still very much a contender, despite suffering an ankle ligament injury during training this week, because she has shown so much "strength" throughout the series.
Speaking on 'Strictly - It Takes Two', Motsi said: "First of all she’s done a great, great job. Honestly watching AJ every week perform I think is going to move so many people.
"Strictly's worldwide so so many little girls are going to see her and we didn’t have that, I didn’t have that as a little girl so watching her do that, I absolutely loved her and she’s shining. I think she’s got that strength.
"Don’t just put her to the side, she has that strength, she has shown it, she’s been in the dance-off, she came back stronger, so all I can say is just put your heart on the dancefloor, take care of yourself but go out there and have a really great time."
AJ and her partner Kai Widdrington will do battle against 'EastEnders' star Rose Ayling-Ellis and her partner Giovanni Pernice, and former 'Great British Bake Off' winner John Whaite and his partner Johannes Radebe in Saturday's (18.12.21) finale.
But the 33-year-old star confirmed this week that she has not been able to "rehearse properly" ahead of the live final, because she is in "agonising discomfort" if she puts any weight on her right foot.
She wrote on Instagram: "I've got a repeated traumatic impact injury to my right ankle affecting the joint, capsule and ligaments themselves. I can't pinpoint a moment it actually happened during training but the pain came on suddenly on Monday night.
"The pain was so acute that I projectile vomited and currently I can't put any weight on my right foot without agonising discomfort. Because I'm unable to move without crutches, we haven't been nor will be able to rehearse properly ahead of the live final. To say I'm devastated would be a huge understatement and I am gutted.
"THAT BEING SAID, whilst it's not the week I had planned I'm trying to remain hopeful and positive. I'm surrounded by a fantastic medical team who are trying their best to get me back on my feet PLUS, I have the most incredible partner @kaiwidd who is carrying me emotionally and physically (literally). Thanks for all your messages. I sincerely hope it will be all right on the night. (sic)"