Oti Mabuse ‘will not be replacing Darcey Bussell’ on the Strictly Come Dancing judging panel, reports suggest.
The dancer on the BBC hit show was rumoured to be the hot favourite to replace judge Bussell following her exit earlier this year, thanks to her successful gig as a judge on BBC One's The Greatest Dancer.
But now, according to The Sun, she’s been passed over for the position for fear it would caused ‘uproar’ among the Strictly pros, some of who have been on the show longer Mabuse herself.
Mabuse, who joined the show in 2015, often achieved high scores thanks to her challenging routines.
A source told the publication: “The thought was that the other dances wouldn’t react well to Oti being a judge, she is popular, but if the dynamic changed and she went from being one of them into another role on the show it’s likely that this would cause friction and upset.”
However, the insider claimed that Bussell’s replacement may remain a woman to “keep the panel fair”.
This claim would also rule another fan favourite, Anton Du Beke, who is the longest-standing pro on the show.
Representatives for Mabuse declined to comment. Standard Online has also contacted the BBC for further comment.
Mabuse previously said she would rather dance than take the place of the dame on the judging panel.
“I love being a dancer and I enjoy creating and choreographing and I think I love that part more,” Oti told HELLO! magazine.
“Strictly is the biggest show on television so it's a big deal for anyone who gets it. They need to know what they are doing.”
Speaking of Bussell after the judge's exit was announced in April, Mabuse said: “What she brought to Strictly was so special. Her replacement has to be completely different from what we have had, but someone who has the nurturing nature of Darcey.”
