Oti Mabuse has shared details of the various items she keeps hidden behind the large judging panel desk on Dancing on Ice, ahead of the new series.
The former Strictly Come Dancing pro joined the panel last year after she exited the BBC One ballroom dancing competition.
Dancing on Ice is now returning to ITV1 and ITVX with a new cast of eleven celebrities, who will embark on the ultimate celebrity talent competition as they take to the ice each week.
Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby return as hosts while ice royalty Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean resume their roles as judges on the ice panel alongside dancers Ashley Banjo and Oti Mabuse.
Ahead of the 2023 series, Oti has spoken about what she keeps behind the desk that the viewers can't see, after Ashley said during the break he has sweets covertly behind the desk.
Oti said she has plenty of things to keep her warm next to the ice skating rink, including a heater as well as a hot water bottle.
The dancing star also said she does not wear shoes while sat down on the panel, adding: “People see me walking and they see the shoes but as soon as we go to an ad break, I’m in my slippers.
“I wear my dressing gown and another thing, I wear my joggers. If I don’t wear a dressing gown, I’ll wear my joggers.
“Sometimes the dresses aren’t comfortable to sit in so I scoop them up and I’ll wear my joggers so that’s why you don’t see me standing.”
Among those skating live in a bid to impress both the panel and viewers at home is are actress and DJ Patsy Palmer, football legend John Fashanu, Love Island winner Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu and Olympic gymnast Nile Wilson.
They are joined by Coronation Street ’s Mollie Gallagher, Drag Queen and TV personality The Vivienne, TV personality Joey Essex, comedian Darren Harriott, actress and West End star Carley Stenson, singer Michelle Heaton and The Wanted’s Siva Kaneswaran.
Guiding the celebrity novices from their shaky first steps to spectacular routines are their professional partners.
A new addition to the 2023 line-up is world-class ice dancer Olivia Smart, while there are three Dancing on Ice favourites returning this year: Sylvain Longchambon, who last skated in the 2019 series as well as Vicky Ogden and Klabera Komini who both last skated in the 2021 series.
Meanwhile, Matt Evers, who has been a part of Dancing on Ice since it launched in 2006, returns to the show alongside fellow series favourites Alexandra Schauman and husband Łukasz Różycki, Mark Hanretty, Brendyn Hatfield, Vanessa Bauer, Tippy Packard and Colin Grafton.
Dancing on Ice starts Sunday 15th January, 6:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX
