Oti vows to waltz off with third Strictly title

OTI Mabuse is back on Strictly Come Dancing this year - vowing to be the champ on the BBC show for a record three years in a row.

The star was being courted by ITV – and had even signed up to The Masked Dancer.

But she will return to Strictly’s new series with the same batch of professional dancers as last year.

A source said: “She was always going to sign up, it’s the biggest show on telly. She has her heart set on the treble.”

The dancers include Anton Du Beke despite suggestions last year could have been his last stint on the BBC hit.

However, it appears to have scuppered his chances of being on the judging panel full-time, with Bruno Tonioli expected to be absent for a second series due to his US commitments.

During the last series, Anton, 54, stood in as a guest judge when Motsi Mabuse had to selfisolate.

Other returning professional dancers include Aljaz Skorjanec, Gorka Marquez and Katya Jones.

Oti was crowned the 2020 winner alongside comedian Bill Bailey who became the series’ oldest winner at 55.

The previous year Oti won while paired with Kelvin Fletcher. Katya made history as part of the show’s first same-sex dance pairing with boxer Nicola Adams last year. Sarah James, executive producer at BBC Studios, said: “The 2021 series promises more showstopping choreography.”

The 2020 finale was a ratings hit as 12.4 million tuned in.

She was always going to sign up for the show SOURCE ON STRICTLY RETURN OF OTI MABUSE

TWIST AGAIN Oti and husband Marius JEST DO IT Oti and Bill Bailey TROPHY GRAB Oti and Bill won finale