Oti Mabuse will reportedly waltz back onto the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom floor this autumn – but this time, not as a professional dancer.
The Latin ballroom dancer, whose sister Motsi is a judge on the BBC flagship show, will reportedly be returning to the programme as a choreographer to help out with the show’s coveted dance routines.
A source told The Sun: “Oti has always held a special place in her heart for Strictly.”
“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.”
Mabuse, who competed on Strictly between 2015 and 2022, lifted the Strictly glitterball two years in a row: in 2019 with Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher and in 2020 with comedian Bill Bailey. After her departure, she appeared on ITV’s The Masked Singer and became a judge on Dancing on Ice.
The source continued: “Oti loved her time on Dancing On Ice, but this will give her more time to get stuck back into Strictly.
“Producers are delighted that Oti is back and cannot wait to hear her ideas.” The Independent has contacted the BBC for comment.
After originally leaving the programme in 2022, Mabuse said her decision was driven by her desire to take on other projects that “put the fire in my belly”.
“I was really lucky at that point that just after winning my second title [on Strictly], ITV had their arms open and they were like, ‘Hey, come in!’” she said at the time.
“So when I was jumping, there was somewhere to land. Even though I left, there was this whole world, a new family, that had opened doors for me and that’s luck and I have to be honest about that, I have to be grateful for that.”
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Announcing her exit from Strictly in 2022, Mabuse said on Instagram: “Never easy to say goodbye. I have been part of the most amazing TV show, Strictly Come Dancing for the past seven years and it has been an incredible time.
“Lifting the glitterball twice and having the best journey with all my celebrities, but also meeting and working with the best team, crew, producers, celebs and incredible professional dancers! You are my family and I adore you all forever.”
Among this year’s celebrity lineup are Emmerdale star Lewis Cope, Neighbours actor Stefan Dennis, controversial Former Apprentice contestant Thomas Skinner and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star La Voix. Find the full lineup here.
Two new editions have been added to the professionals’ lineup: Alexis Warr, former winner of the US series So You Think You Can Dance in 2022, and Julian Caillon, a ballroom TV star from Australia.
Strictly Come Dancing returns on 20 September.