MOVING ON?
Strictly’s Oti Mabuse swerves question about quitting for Masked Dancer job and says ‘I don’t know if I’m going back’
STRICTLY Come Dancing's Oti Mabuse has hinted that she is quitting the BBC One show for The Masked Dancer.
The 30-year-old star addressed rumours that she will be leaving the dancing show, saying "I don't know if I'm going back".
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Oti has signed up to ITV's brand new series The Masked Dancer, which is set to start filming soon.
The professional dancer appeared on Steph's Packed Lunch on Channel 4 on Tuesday to discuss her future prospects on the massively popular dance competition.
She said: "Ahh! Do you know what, some of these conversations obviously I have never been a part of – they are above my pay grade.
“I can’t say yes as to whether I’m going back or not. So, everybody will have to wait and see to find out what is going on. But it is nice to be spoken about…right?”
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Steph then addressed claims that bosses for both shows were "fighting over her".
Oti simply replied: "I'm a little dot. These are big shows!"
The professional dancer was announced as the replacement for Rita Ora on the spin-off show.
The Sun revealed yesterday that Strictly bosses fear star Oti will quit after landing the biggest gig of her career with rival ITV.
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The Sun understands she is yet to officially sign on for the next series of the prime time BBC dance show, leaving producers panicking.
A source said: “Oti has been inundated with offers. Her profile has really blown up since she joined Strictly and she has had ideas pitched from a number of major channels.
“The BBC are now growing increasingly worried that her time on Strictly is numbered. She is really passionate about her dance school, and is batting off TV offers left right and centre.
“Throw the commitment of The Masked Dancer into the mix and suddenly her year might look quite different, as Strictly is a big undertaking. Producers fear she’s outgrown the show.”
Strictly pro dancers are all paid the same fee, no matter how high their public profile.
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It caused a number of top stars to quit the series in recent years, including AJ Pritchard, 26, and Kevin Clifton, 38.
The source added: “Oti is yet to sign this year’s deal and, while the mood music seems to suggest she will, it’s making a few people uneasy.
“Even if she does, it means it could be her final year.
“They’d rather lock her down for this year at least — and beyond if they can.”
Kym Marsh 'still recovering' from operation as she's replaced by Oti Mabuse on Morning Live
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