Strictly Come Dancing’s Oti Mabuse ‘will never return to the show’ after being snatched up for the Dancing On Ice panel
It is ‘unlikely’ that Strictly Come Dancing’s Oti Mabuse will return to the BBC show according to new reports – after being announced as John Barrowman’s replacement on Dancing On Ice.
The 31-year-old professional dancer and two-time glitterball champ has been on the dance show since 2015, winning in 2019 with Kelvin Fletcher and the year after with Bill Bailey.
Yet her latest endeavour was revealed this week, as will join the Dancing On Ice panel alongside fellow judges Ashley Banjo, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean in January 2022.
Moving on? Strictly Come Dancing’s Oti Mabuse is ‘unlikely’ to return to the show after being snatched up for the Dancing On Ice panel (pictured 2020)
And her new role could see her trade the ballroom for the ice – for good – according to The Metro.
Celebrity PR and publicist Harry Rutter believes it’s not likely she’ll go back to the Beeb.
‘Moves like this don’t often happen, but it’s more than likely that a very tempting offer was put on the table by ITV bosses.
‘Oti has been doing Strictly Come Dancing since 2015 and has built up a substantial audience both on TV and online, this is something ITV would have taken into account,’ he said.
Glitz and glam: The 31-year-old professional dancer and two-time glitterball champ has been on the dance show since 2015, winning in 2019 with Kelvin Fletcher and the year after with Bill Bailey (pictured with Bill during the 2020 final)
A representative for Oti told MailOnline it is ‘all speculation.’ A Strictly representative declined to comment.
Commenting on taking on her new role, the South African beauty said: ‘As a professional dancer I have always had so much respect for the skating professionals on Dancing On Ice.
‘It is an exceptional skill that is also so beautiful to watch. I’m feeling really enthusiastic about joining the panel alongside the legendary Torvill and Dean and Ashley Banjo.
‘I can’t wait to see the celebrities thrive as they learn how to ice-skate and to champion the professional skaters as they create incredible choreography.
‘Having been on both sides of the table, I know a little bit about how they’ll be feeling. It’s more than an honour and I already can’t wait to join the family.’
New role: The South African dancer’s latest endeavour was revealed this week, as will join the Dancing On Ice panel alongside fellow judges Ashley Banjo, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean in January 2022
Oti will be taking the seat that was vacated by John, after he was axed earlier this year for exposing himself on set.
The actor, 54, issued an apology in May for the historic incidents, but said they were ‘exaggerated’.
The TV star described his past actions on set as ‘silly behaviour’ and insisted on Lorraine last month he would ‘never do it now’ after previously admitting to ‘tomfoolery’ on the sets of Doctor Who, where he began playing Captain Jack Harkness in 2005 and spin-off series Torchwood a year later.
When questioned by the host if he felt his behaviour had ‘crossed the line’, John agreed that if it were to happen today then it would be, but was quick to accuse people of turning his actions into ‘sexual harassment’.
Replaced: Oti will be taking the seat that was vacated by John Barrowman, 54, (pictured) after he was axed earlier this year for exposing himself on set
No charges were brought against the media personality after allegations about him exposing himself were revealed in May following more serious allegations of sexual harassment against his Doctor Who co-star Noel Clarke.
He explained: ‘I think that if it was now, it would be crossing the line. I think that something that happened 15 years ago, it was bawdy behaviour, silly behaviour, it was being done in the confines of the set, and we were like a family, working together.
‘The fact that it was stories that I’ve already told. I’ve been telling them for years. I haven’t hidden anything, they’ve been exaggerated, and they’ve tried to turn them into sexual harassment which it absolutely is not.’
The actor added he can now see his behaviour was ‘juvenile’ and it would not be something he would do today.
The new series of Dancing On Ice will star Coronation Street star Sally Dynevor, Love Islander Liberty Poole, Happy Mondays dancer Bez, Paralympian Stef Reid, rugby star Ben Foden, and popstar and actress Kimberly Wyatt.
While Paul Gascoigne’s son Regan Gascoigne, pop star Rachel Stevens, professional dancer Brendan Cole, presenter Ria Hebden, BMX Olympic silver medalist Kye Whyte and The Vamps’ Connor Ball complete the cast.
Expertly guiding the celebrity novices from their shaky first steps to spectacular routines are their professional partners.
Axed: No charges were brought against the media personality after allegations about him exposing himself were revealed in May following more serious allegations of sexual harassment against his Doctor Who co-star Noel Clarke (pictured on the DOI panel, 2020)
Matt Evers, a part of Dancing On Ice since it launched on ITV in 2006, returns to the show alongside fellow series favourites Alexandra Shauman and husband Łukasz Różycki, Andy Buchanan and wife Robin Johnstone.
Mark Hanretty, Brendyn Hatfield, Vanessa Bauer, Karina Manta and Joe Johnson will also be making a return.
Reigning champion pro Angela Egan who lifted the trophy with Sonny Jay last series is also back.
Completing the pro team are three brand-new additions to the 2022 line-up as world class competitive figure skaters Morgan Swales, Tippy Packard and Colin Grafton all make their Dancing on Ice debuts.
Dancing On Ice 2022: Who are the celebrities?
KYE WHYTE
Age: 22
Profession: Olympics BMX rider
Kye says: ‘I’d love to see if I can make the final because I’m very competitive.’
RACHEL STEVENS
Age: 43
Profession: Singer
Rachel says: ‘It now feels really real, this is really happening. I’m so excited, obviously really nervous.’
LIBERTY POOLE
Age: 22
Profession: Love Island star
Liberty says: ‘I ice skate as a hobby sometimes so I can get around the rink but I can’t do any tricks’
STEF REID
Age: 36
Profession: Paralympian
Stef says: ‘I’m going to be a contestant on Dancing on Ice and it’s a little bit scary but I cannot wait!’
REGAN GASCOIGNE
Age: 26
Profession: Singer
Regan says: ‘I love dancing but it’s the skill of this. I’ve always wanted to do it. Always! Ever since I was a kid!’
KIMBERLY WYATT
Age: 39
Profession: Pussycat Dolls singer
Kimberly says: ‘I’m just excited to see what I can do on there. I’m up for a challenge!’
BRENDAN COLE
Age: 45
Profession: Dancer
Brendan says: ‘I’ve known I’d be doing the show for quite some time and I want to get started, I’m so excited to be on the show.’
BEN FODEN
Age: 36
Profession: Rugby player
Ben says: ‘I like the idea of learning a new sport and a new skill. I’m quite competitive as well.’
SALLY DYNEVOR
Age: 58
Profession: Coronation Street actress
Sally says: ‘This is a massive challenge. I’m so scared! I’ve just got to take every opportunity I get.’
BEZ
Age: 57
Profession: Happy Mondays
Bez says: ‘I’m always up for a challenge and am already in training on the ice.’
RIA HEBDEN
Age: 36
Profession: Presenter
Ria says: ‘It will be brilliant to learn a new scary skill.’
CONNOR BALL
Age: 25
Profession: The Vamps bassist
Connor says: ‘I’m excited obviously but I’m really nervous. I’m quite clumsy, accident prone.’
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