Oti Mabuse 'returns to Strictly Come Dancing' after Dancing On Ice axe

Oti Mabuse is set to make her return to Strictly Come Dancing as the series kicks off next month - but not as a judge or dancer.

The dancer, who lifted the glitterball twice while serving as a pro will now be returning in a whole new role, four years after leaving to judge the now axed, Dancing On Ice.

Oti was a professional dancer on the show from 2015 to 2021, and was crowed winner two years in a row, taking home the crown with Kelvin Fletcher in 2019 and Bill Bailey in 2020. Two years after her last victory, Oti made the decision to step away from the show. Now, it's been reported she'll be back - as a choreographer.

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“Oti has always held a special place in her heart for Strictly," a source told the Sun. “She loves nothing more than watching her choreography come to life on the dance floor.

“It truly is a family show for Oti - with her sister Motsi Mabuse on the judging panel. Oti loved her time on Dancing On Ice but this will give her more time to get stuck back into Strictly."

The source then went on to say that Strictly bosses were "delighted" that Oti was back and couldn't wait to hear her ideas.

Oti's sister Motsi joined the show as a judge in 2019, taking over from Dame Darcy Bussell. The pair worked together on the show for three years until Oti's departure in 2022.

As well as landing a role as a judge on ITV's Dancing On Ice, Oti also shared her expertise on the panel of The Masked Singer spin off, The Masked Dancer, from 2021 - 2022. She also went on to star in I’m A Celebrity, and gave birth to her first daughter with Marius Iepure in 2023.

The star's return comes just one year after she said "never say never" to a return to the hit BBC show. "“I think right now, with a daughter and everything I’m doing, I’m quite busy, and I’m happy with what I’m doing at the minute. But never say never. The doors are always open, which is really, really nice," she told Prima Magazine.

Oti hasn't yet publicly addressed her return to the show, but rehearsals are well and truly underway for the 23rd series of the show. Celebrities including Vicky Pattison, EastEnders' Balvinder Sopal and Love Island star Dani Dyer have been seen rehearsing for the show, which kicks off on 20th September.

The first show will see Strictly's usual pre-recorded show, with the group dance and partner reveal, with the live shows kicking off on September 27.

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