Strictly's Oti Mabuse makes huge move and replaces judge on ITV show

It has been revealed by ITV that Strictly Come Dancing's Oti Mabuse has joined the team of another dancing competition—but this time as a judge!

Oti Mabuse is best known for being one of the most loved professional dancers on Strictly Come Dancing. After competing with celebrity Ugo Monye as one of the Strictly 2021 couples, it has been announced that Oti is now ready for a new challenge as a judge rather than a contestant.

Following the same path as her sister Motsi who was one of the Strictly Come Dancing judges 2021, Oti has made the decision to join the ITV competition, Dancing on Ice!

It was announced by ITV, "Oti Mabuse is to join the Ice Panel when Dancing On Ice returns to ITV and ITV Hub in January 2022. She’ll be alongside fellow judges Ashley Banjo, Jayne Torvill, and Christopher Dean."

Speaking about this upcoming challenge Oti said, "As a professional dancer I have always had so much respect for the skating professionals on Dancing On Ice. It is an exceptional skill that is also so beautiful to watch."

The professional dancer revealed that she was delighted to join the team and felt that she would have a special insight into juding Dancing on Ice 2022 because of her time as a professional dancer on Strictly.

"I'm feeling really enthusiastic about joining the panel alongside the legendary Torvill and Dean and Ashley Banjo. I can't wait to see the celebrities thrive as they learn how to ice-skate and to champion the professional skaters as they create incredible choreography," said Oti. 

"Having been on both sides of the table, I know a little bit about how they’ll be feeling. It's more than an honor and I already can’t wait to join the family."

Oti will be taking over from actor John Barrowman who began working on the show as a judge in 2019. The actor admitted to 'tomfoolery' on the set of Doctor Who, following allegations that he would expose his penis to other cast members regularly on set.

A spokesperson for ITV said in a statement at the time, "We thank John Barrowman for two brilliant years on the Dancing On Ice panel and are pleased to be working with him again as host of the forthcoming All Star Musicals specials."

The new series of Dancing on Ice is set to begin in just a few weeks in early January, so for those of us who have been left with a big hole in our hearts since Strictly finished, don't fear! The frosty dancing competition will be back for it's fourteenth series in just a few weeks, plus we'll also have the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special 2021 to keep us entertained until then!