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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Jessica Bacon & Ellie Kemp

BBC Strictly fans excited to see favourite make unexpected return in quarter final

BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans were excited to see the return of a favourite during the show's quarter final.

Professional dancer Oti Mabuse made an appearance on Friday's show (December 2) to help out the other pros after she left the show earlier this year. The Dancing On Ice judge was giving a hand with the choreography during the intense festive period, which includes the finale and the show's Christmas special.

The 32-year-old Dancing on Ice judge is helping out the professionals out with their choreography over the intense Christmas period that includes the final and filming the festive special. She might have only made a brief appearance, but fans were delighted to see Oti supporting her former colleagues on the show.

Read more: BBC Strictly viewers shocked as swear word dropped during opening dance

The dancer was even welcomed back by host Claudia Winkleman as she opened the show. The camera revealed an excited Oti on the front row of the audience, reports the Mirror.

One delighted fan wrote on Twitter : “We miss you Oti!” as a second agreed: “So good to see Oti in the audience tonight, not to mention choreographing that opening routine!” A third gushed: “Omg Oti is back!” as fourth said: “Oti my girl, I miss you soooo bad” and another penned: “Queen Oti has returned!”

Oti was spotted in the front row of the audience on Friday (BBC)

Oti famously left Strictly in 2021 to pursue more presenting work and other opportunities, such as being the host of ITV ’s new dating show, Romeo and Duet. Despite her success, Oti admitted she was thrilled to return to Strictly and work with the “amazing group” of professionals again.

Speaking about her return to the show, Oti told Women's Health UK : “I'm choreographing a number on it. What an amazing opportunity [this is] to work behind the scenes and really enjoy the professionals' talent because they're such an amazing group to work with.”

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