Fan favourites Oti Mabuse and Aljaz Skorjanec are reportedly planning to leave Strictly Come Dancing following this year’s series
Two pro dancers are said to be quitting the show next year
Strictly Come Dancing could lose two of its star dancers as Oti Mabuse and Aljaz Skorjanec have reportedly told friends they intend to quit the show.
The two pro dancers will allegedly hand in their notice to pursue projects away from the Strictly ballroom following this series, according to unknown sources.
Having won the show the last two years with Kelvin Fletcher, 2019, and Bill Bailey, 2020, Oti is the show’s most successful professional dancer.
Aljaz is the longest-serving male professional still competing in the series, having won in 2013 with Abbey Clancy.
It is believed that the pair have not yet told the BBC about their plans to leave.
Oti won in 2019 with Kelvin Fletcher
(
Image:
BBC/Guy Levy)
The pair are not the only ones reported to be wanting to quit the show as Katya Jones, 32, has allegedly threatened to leave.
An insider told The Sun: “Bosses will worry other stars could follow.”
Oti has previously said she is looking forward to ” starting a new life “, with rumours sparking up earlier this year that she would be leaving the show following this series.
The 31-year-old dancer said that she’s been trying presenting on Channel 4’s Steph’s Packed Lunch when the cameras aren’t rolling.
Oti claims to be inspired by Steph McGovern, who has taken on a mentor position for the professional dancer.
Oti Mabuse has won the last two years of Strictly Come Dancing
(
Image:
Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
She said: “I’m starting to present and I’m starting a new life. The person who inspires me the most is Steph McGovern.
“Sometimes when you come into the industry people do feel threatened. They do feel, ‘Oh you’re trying to take my spot.’ She didn’t. She saw something in me.
“Every time I do her show she goes, ‘We’re going to stay back and you’re going to do my bits and we’re going to practice.’ So she mentors me.
Strictly’s Craig tells Motsi she’s giving him a headache in savage dig amid feud rumours
Strictly fans ‘in bits’ as Rose and Giovanni’s dance features ‘powerful silent moment’
“It’s her show, her time. The whole crew does that, they wait.
“That for me is a hero, she’s an inspiration. When somebody comes into Strictly, I want to be that person who goes, ‘Let me show you the ropes.’
“She’s just showed me what it looks like when women help each other and are not scared or insecure.”
Aljaz recently made headlines for setting dance partner’s family at ease
(
Image:
PA)
Aljaz recently made headlines for setting dance partner Sara Davies’ husband “at ease”.
Following training, Aljaz offers support to Sara and the family, going on the school run and spending time with Sara’s partner Simon.
Read More
Strictly results leaked again as fans slam ‘ridiculous’ bottom two decision
Read More
Strictly’s Giovanni tells Rose ‘I love you’ weeks after split from Maura Higgins