Oti Mabuse confirms she won't be returning to Strictly Come Dancing Fashion Beauty Celebrity Health Life Relationships Horoscopes Food Interiors Travel Sign in Welcome!Log into your account Forgot your password? Password recovery Recover your password Search Sign in Welcome! Log into your account Forgot your password? Get help Password recovery Recover your password A password will be e-mailed to you. YOU Magazine Fashion Beauty Celebrity Health Life Relationships Horoscopes Food Interiors Travel Home Celebrity Oti Mabuse confirms she won’ t be returning to Strictly Come Dancing By Kanika Banwait - February 22, 2022 After one series of Strictly Come Dancing ends, it’s not long before we find ourselves eagerly awaiting the next one. And while we’ve still got months to wait before another group of celebrities take to the dancefloor, we already know one of our favourite professional dancers, Oti Mabuse, won’t be returning for the next series. On 22 February, Oti confirmed she had made the difficult decision to leave the show. Rumours started circulating last year that the two-time Strictly winner wouldn’t return for another series when she was announced as a judge on ITV’s Dancing on Ice. Oti will also be hosting a new ITV dating show called Romeo and Duet, is expected to return as a judge on the second series of The Masked Dancer, and often appears as a presenter on Channel 4 programme Steph’s Packed Lunch, so she’s certainly got a busy diary already. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Oti Mabuse (@otimabuse) Posting the news to Instagram, Oti started: ‘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. ‘Lifting the glitter ball twice and having the best journey with all my celebrities, but also meeting and working with the best team, crew, producers, celebs and incredible professional dancers! You are my family and I adore you all forever.’ She continued: ‘I’m honestly so grateful to The BBC and will always remember that Strictly and BBC brought me to the UK – which I now call home and I have learnt and grown so much. Thank You from the bottom of my heart. ‘I can’t put in to words how difficult this decision has been, but I have decided not to return for the next series. Dance will always be my first love and to everyone, my family especially, friends, strictly fans and judges who have been my support throughout my strictly journey, thank you for being incredible! You are irreplaceable in my heart and have made everyday unforgettable! I love you.’ Oti finished her heartfelt message with the show’s catchphrase: ‘I will always Keeeep Dancing! and I will never forget my amazing Strictly experience!’ BBC Pictures The professional dancer has been a part of Strictly Come Dancing since 2015 and has won twice – first with Kelvin Fletcher in 2019 and then with Bill Bailey in 2020. Oti’s sister Motsi, who’s also a judge on Strictly, commented: ‘It’s time to fly baby girl. I am so proud of you. Fearless, courageous and so looking forward to seeing your dreams come true.’ Fellow judge Shirley Ballas also wrote: ‘I’m so proud of you in so many ways. You for sure have been a big part of the show and you will be missed… I’ve enjoyed so many times with you and loved the fact you loved to learn. Beauty for sure you have, but your beautiful heart shines brightly… May your candle continue to glow brightly for all those around you.’ View this post on Instagram A post shared by BBC Strictly (@bbcstrictly) Strictly’s executive producer Sarah James paid tribute to Oti in a statement issued via the BBC. She 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, not only by viewers, but the entire team. ‘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.’ READ MORE: Dawn French reveals why she refuses to take part in Strictly Come Dancing RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR 50 of the best celebrity Halloween costumes of all time Shirley Ballas ‘ Strictly gave me back my hope’ Davina McCall discusses how men can help women going through the menopause Popular in Celebrity TV chef Gino D Acampo on Sardinia Sophia Loren and scary salads May 25, 2017 The Evergreen Goddess Exercise guru Diana Moran on looking fit and July 10, 2017 More more Julianne Moore November 13, 2017 Author Jill Mansell on designer notebooks commissioning art and the family January 16, 2018 EMOTIONAL TIES Kelly Hoppen on vodka vintage finds and being a April 4, 2018 ‘ I have no regrets’ Millie Mackintosh on divorce debt and reuniting May 20, 2018 EMOTIONAL TIES TV presenter and tennis player Annabel Croft shares her July 1, 2018 Stella Parton ‘ Dolly and I have always been close’ August 12, 2018 Anna Friel on getting jeered in the street shared parenting with September 23, 2018 Queen of primetime Charlotte Riley on juggling rising stardom with pregnancy October 21, 2018 Popular CategoriesFood2704Life2496Fashion2240Beauty1738Celebrity1261Interiors684 Sign up for YOUMail Thanks for subscribing Please check your email to confirm (If you don't see the email, check the spam box) Fashion Beauty Celebrity Life Food Privacy & Cookies T&C Copyright 2022 - YOU Magazine. 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