Oti Mabuse speaks out about Strictly future

There’s no doubt that Oti Mabuse is having a moment. After storming to victory on Strictly Come Dancing two years on the trot (in 2019 with Kelvin Fletcher and with Bill Bailey in 2020), Oti is set to make her debut as a judge on Dancing On Ice this weekend, and she’s also been announced as host of new ITV dating show Romeo and Duet.

Will Oti Mabuse be on Strictly 2022?

But while we’re delighted to be seeing more of Oti on our screens, these big new jobs with ITV have led many to worry that she may not return to the ballroom for Strictly 2022. Responding to questions about her Strictly future, Oti has neither confirmed nor denied a return to Strictly. In one interview, she said:

For me I’m just really excited to be here on Dancing On Ice working and doing what I love. You know how I am, I work by the rules and there will be an announcement made. I can’t give a tease because I will be in trouble.

In a separate interview, she seemed to hint that she is keen to broaden her career away from just dancing, saying:

I think for me as a person in entertainment I really want to learn and grow. I want a long career.

What Oti did next

What’s more, back in April 2021, Oti told the Telegraph that the next series of Strictly (i.e. Strictly 2021) would likely be her last. We would be gutted to lose Oti as one of the Strictly professionals, but at the same time, we’re excited to see her dazzle us in whatever new ventures she moves on to next!