Former Strictly pro Oti Mabuse defended her decision to leave her daughter to star in the jungle, insisting: “Mum has goals too.”
The 34-year-old star, who will appear on I’m A Celeb for at least two weeks, said: “She won’t remember it, it’s just a couple of days.”
It comes 13 months after the “traumatic” birth of her only child, in which she was born 28 weeks premature and had to spend six weeks in the ICU.
The professional dancer continued, “I think it’s good for her to see that mom is completely committed and loves her so much but also wants to do what she wants to do.”
‘Mom has goals too, and I think that’s something that as moms we can all be proud of, that we can be these amazing human beings and achieve our goals or do things that are fun for us.
Former Strictly Professional Oti Mabuse defends her decision to leave her 13-month-old daughter at home while she flies to Australia to star in I’m A Celebrity…
The 34-year-old star, who will appear on I’m A Celeb for at least two weeks, said: “She won’t remember it, it’s just a couple of days” (pictured with her daughter).
“And when she grows up, she’ll Google me and probably look at it and say, ‘Yeah, my mom did that.'”
The Strictly judge’s sister Motsi Mabuse, originally from South Africa, revealed she had been asked six times by ITV to appear on the show but chose this year before her daughter is too old to leave it behind.
She said, “I’ll probably never do it again.” I will never get another chance to do it again. I would love to grow my family. I would like to do other things. So this was the year to do it and it felt good.”
Ms Mabuse is the only professional dancer to have won Strictly Come Dancing two years in a row, first in 2019 with soap star Kelvin Fletcher and in 2020 with comedian Bill Bailey.
After seven years on the show, Ms Mabuse left the BBC’s flagship show in 2022 because she wanted to take on more presenting roles, but also revealed her struggles behind the scenes of Strictly.
Praising her husband of ten years for staying by her side while she was on the show, Mrs Mabuse said: “He’s seen me not eat, he’s seen me overeat, he’s seen me have to deal with interesting personalities.”
“It got to the point where I was like, ‘I think I’m done,’ and he said, ‘Yeah, I think there’s something new that turns your stomach on.’ When you’re hosting or talking to people, you’re a completely different person.”
Since resigning, Mobuse has switched his alliance to ITV, having appeared on the judging panel of the network’s top shows including Dancing on Ice and Masked Singer.
It comes 13 months after the ‘traumatic’ birth of her only child, in which she was born 28 weeks premature and had to spend six weeks in the ICU.
The professional dancer continued, “I think it’s good for her to see that mom is completely committed and loves her so much but also wants to do what she wants to do.”
And now he will enter the I’m A Celebrity jungle this Sunday.
Before admitting his preference for ITV, he said: “I was very lucky at the time that, just after winning my second title (on Strictly), ITV had their arms open and said, ‘Hey, come on in.’
‘So when I was jumping, there was somewhere to land. Even though I left, there was this whole world, a new family, that had opened doors for me and that’s luck and I have to be honest about it, I have to be grateful for that.’
I AM A CELEBRITY 2024: MEET THE ALL STAR LINE
OTI MABUSO
Oti Mabuse already has two Strictly Glitterballs under his belt
AGE: 34
OCCUPATION: professional dancer
FAMOUS FOR: Oti is best known for being a professional dancer on the British television series Strictly Come Dancing, which she won in 2019 and 2020.
DANNY JONES
Danny Jones is one of the bookies’ favorites to win this year’s I’m A Celeb
AGE: 38
OCCUPATION: singer mcfly
FAMOUS FOR: Danny is one of the lead vocalists and lead guitarist of the pop-rock band McFly.
He is also a coach on The Voice UK.
BARRY MCGUIGAN
Former boxer Barry McGuigan heads into the jungle
AGE: 63
OCCUPATION: Retired professional boxer
FAMOUS FOR: Barry was nicknamed The Clones Cyclone and held the lineal and WBA featherweight titles from 1985 to 1986.
BARRY
GK Barry is a TikTok star who recently joined the ITV family on Loose Women
AGE: 25
OCCUPATION: tiktok star
FAMOUS FOR: Grace is known for her comedic commentary on culture, lifestyle and fashion. She has over 3.6 million followers and recently joined the Loose Women panel.
DEAN MCCULOUGH
ITV bosses hope Dean McCullough will ruffle feathers in camp
AGE: 32
OCCUPATION: Radio 1 DJ
FAMOUS FOR: Radio 1 DJ Dean has been snapped up by I’m A Celeb bosses, hoping he will ruffle feathers with his outspoken opinions.
Earlier this year it was announced that Dean would take over BBC Radio 1’s early breakfast show, having previously fronted the afternoon slot.
JANE MOORE
Jane is best known as a panelist and presenter on Loose Women.
AGE: 62
OCCUPATION: Journalist
FAMOUS FOR: Jane is best known as a panelist and presenter on Loose Women between 1999 and 2002.
He returned as a regular panelist starting in 2013.
Jane takes on the challenge following her high-profile separation from her husband of 20 years, showbiz agent Gary Farrow.
MELVIN ODOOM
Melvin was previously courted by I’m A Celeb bosses back in 2021
AGE: 44
OCCUPATION: DJ and television presenter
FAMOUS FOR: His work on the radio. Melvin was previously courted by I’m A Celeb bosses in 2021 but turned down the offer at the last minute.
He also had a primetime stint on Strictly in 2016.
COLEN ROONEY
Reports claim that he has been offered the biggest deal in the show’s history.
AGE: 38
OCCUPATION: WAG
FAMOUS FOR: Wagatha Christie case against her archrival Rebekah Vardy.
Reports claim he has been offered the biggest deal in the show’s history, surpassing Nigel Farage’s £1.5million from last year.
ALAN HALSALL
Alan Halsall is best known for his role as Tyrone Dobbs in Coronation Street.
AGE: 42
OCCUPATION: Actor
FAMOUS FOR: Coronation Street actor Alan Halsall was forced to pull out of I’m A Celeb last year after undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery.
Bosses have now convinced the actor to sign up again, and he will no doubt attract a huge fan base thanks to his long-running role as Tyrone Dobbs in the soap.
TULISA
Tulisa is returning to her career after reuniting with N-Dubz last year.
AGE: 36
OCCUPATION: Singer and former X Factor judge
FAMOUS FOR: Tulisa reunited with N-Dubz last year for a tour after finding fame with the band in 2007.
In 2011, she became a judge on The X Factor and released her debut solo album, The Female Boss.
He released his fourth album with N-Dubz last year.