Strictly Come Dancing professional Oti Mabuse has addressed reports that she could join the show’s judging panel after Darcey Bussell confirmed her departure.
Mabuse, who previously served as a judge on BBC’s The Greatest Dancer, is one of a handful of Strictly stars tipped as a potential replacement for Bussell.
The 28-year-old, who joined the series as a dancer in 2015, was quick to shut down any speculation in a new interview with Zoe Ball.
Speaking on Ball’s BBC Radio 2 breakfast show earlier today, Mabuse seemed to take herself out of the running, telling the host that she would “miss” the camaraderie between her colleagues.
“You know, I love dancing, I love coming to rehearsals,” she said. “I love being part of the group. I think it’s a really special group to be a part of.
“There are no dancers like Strictly dancers and how close we are. And I would absolutely miss that and that part of it so I’ll be dancing, honey. I’ll be dancing!”
She went on to describe Bussell’s decision to leave the show as “sad,” telling Ball: “It’s really sad because we really love her and she’s been such an important part of the show, and she will be missed.”
The former ballet dancer announced last week that she has stepped down from the judging panel “to give more focus to [her] many other commitments in dance.”
She described her seven year stint on the show as a “complete privilege,” and shut down any talk of “upset or disagreement” behind the scenes.
“It has been a complete privilege for me to be part of Strictly, working with such a talented team,” she said in a statement.
“I have enjoyed every minute of my time and will miss everyone from my fellow judges, the presenters, the dancers, the musicians, the entire back stage team, and especially the viewers of the show, who have been so supportive.
“I am not leaving because of any upset or disagreement at all, I am just stepping away to give more focus to my many other commitments in dance, after seven truly wonderful years that I can’t imagine having gone any better.”
Bussell first joined the dancing competition as a fifth judge in the final stages of the 2009 series and returned as a permanent fixture following Alesha Dixon’s departure in 2012.
