Strictly's Oti Mabuse joining Dancing on Ice as judge

Oti Mabuse is the latest Strictly Come Dancing professional to join rival show Dancing on Ice – though she has been selected as a judge rather than a contestant.

ITV confirmed on Wednesday (December 22) that Oti will be joining Christopher Dean, Jayne Torvill and Ashley Banjo on Dancing on Ice's judging panel, following John Barrowman's dismissal earlier this year.

"As a professional dancer I have always had so much respect for the skating professionals on Dancing On Ice. It is an exceptional skill that is also so beautiful to watch," Oti has said.

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dancing on ice, oti mabuse, jayne torvill, christopher dean, ashley banjo

Matt Frost//ITV

"I'm feeling really enthusiastic about joining the panel alongside the legendary Torvill and Dean and Ashley Banjo. I can't wait to see the celebrities thrive as they learn how to ice-skate and to champion the professional skaters as they create incredible choreography.

"Having been on both sides of the table, I know a little bit about how they’ll be feeling. It's more than an honour and I already can’t wait to join the family."

As Oti mentioned, judging runs in the family for the Mabuses. Her sister Motsi is on the panel of Strictly Come Dancing in the UK and Germany, while Oti herself has judged the BBC's The Greatest Dancer and ITV's The Masked Dancer.

oti mabuse sits behind the judges' table as she watches contestants on the masked dancer

Kieron McCarron//ITV

Oti will have to judge a former Strictly Come Dancing professional this year, as Brendan Cole will be competing with pro skater Vanessa Bauer as his partner.

Other notable celebrity contestants on Dancing on Ice in 2022 will be the Pussycat Dolls' Kimberly Wyatt, S Club's Rachel Stevens, Coronation Street actress Sally Dynevor, rugby star Ben Foden and Love Island's Liberty Poole, among others.

Dancing on Ice will return in January 2022, airing on ITV.