Dancer Mabuse bows out of ‘Strictly’ after ITV cuts in
OTI MABUSE is to leave Strictly Come Dancing after being poached by ITV.
She spent seven years as a professional dancer on the BBC Saturday night show, winning the trophy with Kelvin Fletcher in 2019 and Bill Bailey in 2020, but has now taken the “difficult” decision to quit following job offers from ITV.
She recently appeared as a judge on Dancing on Ice, and is currently filming an ITV dating show, Romeo and Duet,
her first solo presenting role.
Announcing the news, Mabuse said it was “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,” she said.
“I’m honestly so grateful to the BBC and will always remember that Strictly
and the BBC brought me to the UK, which I now call home, and I have learnt and grown so much.
“I can’t put into words how difficult this decision has been, but I have decided not to return for the next series.”
Mabuse, a South African dance champion, joined Strictly in 2015 and became the only dancer in the show’s history to win two consecutive series. Her sister, Motsi, joined as a judge in 2019.
Sarah James, the programme’s executive producer, said: “Oti has been a truly wonderful part of Strictly for the past seven years. Her energy, creativity and talent have contributed to so many of the show’s most memorable moments and she will be hugely missed.
“She leaves a dazzling legacy behind her, as the only professional dancer to lift the Glitterball Trophy in two consecutive years.
“We couldn’t be prouder of Oti and what she has achieved on the show. She will always be at the very heart of our
Strictly family and we wish her every success in her already bright future.”
Romeo and Duet is a twist on the
Blind Date format and will involve contestants picking potential love matches on the strength of their singing voice.
The ITV prime time series will be broadcast later this year and Mabuse said: “It has always been a dream of mine to host, so this is a real ‘pinch me’ moment.”