TWO-TIME Strictly winner Oti Mabuse will hit the dancefloor tonight in a bid to win the Glitterball trophy for a third time.
Oti has forged a successful television career since joining Strictly Come Dancing in 2015, becoming Masked Dancer judge earlier this year.
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Who is Oti Mabuse?
Oti Mabuse is a 31-year-old professional dancer who rose to fame on BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing.
She was born in Pretoria, South Africa and unlike many of the Strictly family, Oti did not start her path to professional dancing from a young age.
Oti studied civil engineering at university before embarking on a career in professional dancing, following in the footsteps of her sister Motsi – nine years her senior – who is a professional ballroom dancer.
Since the start of her career, Oti has earned various awards including first place in the German Championship Freestyle Latin competition.
She joined the show in 2015 for its thirteenth series and was partnered with boxer Anthony Ogogo but unfortunately did not make it past week three.
Oti was then partnered with Hollyoaks hunk Danny Mac, and the duo were the show’s standout performers, topping the leaderboard seven times on their way to the finals.
What is Oti Mabuse’s net worth?
Oti has appeared on a number of TV shows and is likely to have taken home a large cheque for her on-screen work.
Her exact net worth is unknown but according to reports, Strictly Come Dancing professionals can earn £50,000 per year for starring on the show.
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The judges on the BBC contest, meanwhile, are said to earn a lot more than their counterparts.
The panel – Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli – reportedly make between £150,000 and £250,000 each series.
Oti is likely to be earning more for her latest role on The Masked Dancer – increasing her net worth.
When did Oti Mabuse win Strictly Come Dancing?
Oti and Kelvin Fletcher were crowned champions of Strictly Come Dancing 2019 – even though she was originally partnered with Jamie Laing.
She and the Made In Chelsea star appeared in the first episode of the series as it was pre-recorded.
But after Jamie injured himself and had to pull out of the competition, Oti was assigned a new partner.
Fortunately for Oti, Kelvin picked up dancing really quickly and helped her win her first Strictly Come Dancing title.
She then became the first professional to defend her Strictly crown, helping comedian Bill Bailey pull off a shock win in 2020.
The then 55-year-old is the oldest celeb to win the competition since it began 17 years ago.
What other shows has Oti appeared on?
Oti had some experience of dancing on the telly prior to Strictly Come Dancing.
She took part in the German version of the BBC One show and moved to Germany to develop her professional career.
Off the back of Strictly, she and dancer Ian Waite announced a new 60-date tour – An Audience With Ian Waite And Oti Mabuse: Rhythm Of The Night – which kicked off in March 2018.
She is also a judge on the BBC talent show The Greatest Dancer and is joined on the panel by Cheryl, Matthew Morrison and Todrick Hall.
And Oti has appeared on Channel 4’s Celebrity Googlebox alongside her siblings.
When is Strictly Come Dancing 2021?
The launch show will see celebrities paired with their professional dancers.
The first live show airs TONIGHT at 7pm on Saturday, September 25, 2021, on BBC One.
No one will be axed after the first live show.
The shows will also be put on BBC iPlayer as each episode airs.
