‘I want a long career’ Oti Mabuse breaks silence on Strictly Come Dancing exit rumours

Strictly: AJ and Kai were 'under marked' says Oti Mabuse

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Strictly Come Dancing professional Oti, 31, has been a favourite on the BBC competition since she joined series 13 back in 2015. Lately though, she has taken up other projects away from the dance show as she turns to judging. Last year, she was on the panel of ITV’s The Masked Dancer, and she is set to make her Dancing on Ice debut this weekend as a new judge. Addressing speculation she’ll be leaving Strictly Come Dancing, Oti stated she was trying to take part in “as much as she can”.

Talking about the possibility of moving on from the BBC series, Oti confirmed fans would soon learn if she’d be returning to Strictly.

“There will be an announcement that will be made later, but for me, as a person in entertainment, I really want to learn and grow,” she stated.

“And I want a long career, especially in this country.

“I moved all the way from Africa so I have to make something of myself, so I’m really trying to learn and do as much as I can for as long as I can while I can.”

She explained how her sister Motsi, a Strictly Come Dancing judge, has been advising her on her career.

Oti told Mirror Online: “We’re really close, my sister and I, and what we know from sharing a mum and dad is that we’re quite loud.

“We literally are so bubbly and her advice to me was just to be myself and I think everyone from the BBC who congratulated me said the same thing – just be yourself, be honest, say what you see and say what you feel.”

Oti has seen a lot of success as a professional on the seasonal show.

She was crowned winner alongside Emmerdale star Kelvin Fletcher in 2019, and continued her winning streak in 2020 when she and comedian Bill Bailey lifted the Glitterball Trophy.

In the latest series, Oti was paired with rugby star Ugo Monye, and the pair were eliminated in week five.

In the new series of the skating competition, Oti will be joining former judges Ashley Banjo, Jayne Torville and Christopher Dean.

But that’s not her only new TV role as earlier in the week, she shared more exciting news on her Instagram account.

Oti announced she will be hosting a brand new ITV programme, Romeo and Duet.

Oti admitted she “couldn’t believe it” as she shared her delight over her latest move.

In view of her 637,000 followers, she began: “My heart is just filled with excitement and joy about this announcement.

“I’m so thrilled to be the host of the brand new ITV show Romeo & Duet due to air later on this year.”

She continued: “To @mel_md_goat_films who is such a positive light in my life and has done nothing but support and motivate me, I adore you and thank you for being an IMPOSSIBLE WOMAN.

“Woop woop. I can’t even begin to explain how this feels – still can’t believe it.”

Dancing On Ice begins Sunday on ITV at 6.30pm

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