Mabuse will replace Darcey Bussell, who stepped down from the role earlier this year after seven years on the show.
Motsi Mabuse joins from Let’s Dance, the German version of Strictly, where she has been a judge since 2011, after four years as a professional dancer on the series.
The BBC Two documentary will be joined by a host of specialist programmes that range from the artistry of dance to new series The Novels That Shaped Our World (w/t), which will mark the 300th anniversary of Robinson Crusoe and the origins behind the British novel.
“This year we’ll be giving you a front-row seat to the best in arts and culture from celebrating the novel and the art of poetry with landmark programing, to encouraging participation in the arts with the return of Get Creative,” said Jonty Claypole, Director of Arts at BBC.
Four part series A Very British History will tell the stories of various communities around Britain, including the Jewish community in Leeds, Afro-Caribbeans in Birmingham, Ugandan Asians in Leicester and Romany Gypsies in the home counties.
Photojournalist Don McCullin will travel the country, capturing its diversity in Don McCullin: Looking for England. After sixty years as a photographer, 83 year-old McCullin will visit communities around the UK, from inner cities to seaside towns, and lets TV cameras inside his darkroom for the first time.
When the BBC spiced up one of TV’s oldest formats to create Strictly Come Dancing, few thought it would create the holy grail of TV – a genuine pop-culture phenomenon that glued all ages to the box.
That was almost 15 years ago. Come Dancing, the show that inspired Strictly, first appeared in 1950, surviving in all its flouncy glory until 1998. It remains to be seen if even Strictly can last that long.
The eight-part Saturday night entertainment show will seek out the UK’s most talented dancers in search of best performer.
The Greatest Dancer will find talented dancers from all different types of dance, from Bollywood to ballet; jazz to jive; tap to tango.
“With the continued success of Strictly Come Dancing, the BBC is undoubtedly the home of dance," said Kate Phillips, Controller Entertainment Commissioning for the BBC.
