ARLENE Phillips tonight broke her silence after Strictly pro Oti Mabuse landed a job as a judge on Dancing On Ice instead of her.
Famed choreographer Arlene, 78, denied any “bad blood” with Oti, 31, and insisted she has no desire to return to work on talent shows.
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Asking if she was gutted that she missed out on replacing axed John Barrowman on Dancing On Ice,the ex Strictly Come Dancing judgetold The Sun: “No, not at all.
“That’s a rumour. I love Oti [Mabuse], I can’t wait to see her. I’m actually working with Oti, she’s choreographing the Cher show which I’m directing, she’s great and she’s wonderful.”
Asked if she would like to work as a judge again, the I’m A Celeb star said at the premiere of Cirque Du Soleil’s LUZIA at London’s Royal Albert Hall: “I don’t think I will.
“I love judging on TV. I’ve had an amazing time judging on all the shows I’ve done. I’m open to new people coming up.”
Meanwhile, Oti has now dropped the biggest hint yet that she is to quit Strictly Come Dancing.
Rumours have swirled that the dance pro is leaving the BBC hit since she signed up to judge on Dancing On Ice.
And this week she was unveiled as host of new ITV dating show Romeo & Duet.
She said: There will be an announcement made later. As a person in entertainment, I want to learn and grow and do as much as I can for as long as I can.
Oti won Strictly with Kevin Fletcher in 2019 and Bill Bailey the following year.
She added to her telly CV with stints on The Greatest Dancer and, in May last year, ITVs The Masked Dancer.
Oti said: Im really excited to be here on Dancing On Ice, doing what I love.
I cant give a tease because it always get me in trouble, and I dont like getting in trouble!
Big sister Motsi, a judge on Strictly, has given her some tips.
Oti revealed: She said to be myself, say what I see and feel and what I would love to feel between two people dancing. You want them to get better.
Everybody wants to go through that ride until the end and I am hoping that I can help.
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Strictly’s Oti Mabuse on everything dance and how she feels about becoming a judge on Dancing On Ice
