The Dancing on Ice star has been a familiar face on screens in the UK for many years now and is looking for a new gig
A Dancing On ice star has hinted at her aspirations to secure a regular spot on another ITV programme following the cancellation of the reality show.
Professional dancer Oti Mabuse, 34, first gained recognition in the UK when she joined the cast of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2015.
During her tenure on the talent show, she emerged victorious twice – first with soap star Kelvin Fletcher in 2019 and then with comedian Bill Bailey in 2020. After partnering with rugby player Ugo Monye in 2021, she left the show and moved to ITV to serve as a judge on Dancing On Ice in 2022.
However, last month saw the termination of the long-standing ice skating competition by ITV due to plummeting viewing figures, ending its intermittent 19-year run. Oti faced further disappointment when her other ITV project, The Masked Dancer, where she was a judge, was cancelled in 2024 after just two seasons.
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Despite these setbacks, the star has suggested that she is aiming for a new role on the network – as a regular panellist on the renowned lunchtime chat show, Loose Women. The current affairs discussion show boasts a panel that includes Denise Welch, Coleen Nolan, and Nadia Sawalha.
Earlier this month, Oti made her first appearance as a guest panellist on the daytime programme, hinting at the possibility of more frequent appearances. In an interview with the Express, she expressed her desire to return to the show, reports the Mirror.
The dancer shared with the publication: “That was amazing, it was really fun. I have to give it up to Ruth, Jayne and Denise because they were so lovely and we had so much fun, and they made me feel so welcome and at ease.
“I was obviously nervous, but it was nice to be padded around by people who know what they’re doing.”
Oti also confessed that being a panellist on the show was less nerve-wracking than appearing as a guest.
She elaborated: “I was less nervous as a panellist than I am as a guest because as a guest there’s specific things that you have to say. Whereas a panellist, they just let you talk, and you discuss things and it’s like sitting with your friends and having a coffee and just chatting away.”
Audiences felt a connection when Oti opened up about personal challenges including her brother’s suicide, her departure from Strictly, and her body image issues. She disclosed: “I think being on Loose [Women], which is what is so amazing about it, is that everybody’s got their independent life experiences.
“And I shared mine and I’m very open about it and I think since the jungle that has helped me to just be me and not be afraid of just being honest and being genuine and being authentic. Those things did happen and I don’t shy away from it.
“They don’t make me less than a person, if anything, I think I’m at a point in my life right now where I can address them and I know how to articulate and be sensitive because other people are going through the same thing, but it’s also to raise awareness.”
ITV last month announced that the popular show Dancing On Ice will not return after its 17th season, which wrapped up early March. The series first hit the screens in 2006 and took a brief hiatus from 2015 before making a comeback in 2018.
An ITV spokesperson commented: “Following another successful series earlier this year, Dancing On Ice will be rested in 2026 with no current plans for another series.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the cast and crew who have worked on the show since 2006, and over the previous 17 series, for all of their hard work both on and off the ice.”
Loose Women is on ITV1 weekdays at 12.30pm and on ITVX