Dancing on Ice’s new judge Oti Mabuse said she relied on Holly Willoughby to calm her nerves moments before going live on the new series of the ITV show.
In an appearance on This Morning, Oti Mabuse chatted with the presenters Phillip Schofield and Rochelle Humes about her Dancing on Ice judging debut.
Speaking about the change from dance floor to judging panel, Oti said she initially felt like she was performing.
She said: “Just before the couples go on, my heart pumped and I looked at Ashley like, ‘I feel like I'm actually performing now.’
“It's a whole lot less pressure. I just get there on a Sunday and I enjoy other people working hard and trying to do their best.”
Host Phillip Schofield asked Oti if there was a specific moment where the nerves hit and Oti said it was when the music started to play.
She said: “When we started I said, ‘I’ve got this, I’m calm’. Then the music started playing and the show went live and I said, ‘Oh my goodness I’m so nervous’.”
Oti said Holly Willoughby turned to her and said “Relax, you’re fine. You’re good. Relax.”
Phillip said: “You struck the perfect balance. Everyone adores you.”
Oti replied: “A lot of the time as dancers, you don’t really get to hear us speak or hear our opinion, talk about other people and say how they can get better.
“This time I had to talk - I thought, I could be harsh, too harsh, be nice.”
Phillip went on to put Oti Mabuse on the spot later in their chat as he quizzed her on whether or not she will be returning to Strictly Come Dancing.
Oti said she “doesn't know” whether she'll be going back to the BBC show as Phillip suggested she would not have enough time in her schedule with her numerous other commitments.
She replied: “I will fit everything in. I have a great agent who plans everything really well.”
When Phillip pointedly asked her to confirm whether she would go back to Strictly, Oti replied: “I don't know yet.”
She continued: “There will be an announcement made officially by Strictly, but not just about me, by the way, because it seems like that. It's about all the pros and there is a process and a protocol to follow.”
This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV and ITV Hub.
