‘I don’t have time!’ Oti Mabuse’s husband Marius Lepure shuts down speculation he will join Strictly’s professional dancer line-up
Oti Mabuse’s husband Marius Lepure has firmly shut down rumours he will form part of the professional dancer line-up for the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Reigning champion Oti, 29, and Marius addressed the speculation during an appearance on Lorraine on Thursday.
The Romanian dancer, 37, who has won gold at the German National Show Dance Championships, told host Christine Lampard he simply ‘doesn’t have time’ to appear on the show.
‘I don’t have time!’: Oti Mabuse’s husband Marius Lepure has firmly shut down rumours he will form part of the professional dancer line-up for the upcoming series of Strictly
Marius, who has featured in some group dances in the past, elaborated: ‘Every year I hear about those rumours.
‘We’re opening a dance studio in September, so I don’t think I will have too much time for that. But it’s amazing.
‘I did the live arena tour and it was really, really brilliant. So I will always try to be on Strictly, but [I’m] not really having time for that.’
Champions: Oti won the 2019 series with celebrity partner Kelvin Fletcher
On whether there’s extra pressure returning as the reigning champion, Oti said: ‘It’s exciting because I don’t know what I’m going to do. Am I going to fight for it again? Or am I going to be chill? I think it depends on who I get.’
Oti lifted the coveted glitterball with her celebrity partner Kelvin Fletcher.
During the chat, Oti, who married Marius in 2012, also spoke about how she feels putting her private side of herself out in the public domain.
Too busy: The Romanian dancer, 37, who has won gold at the German National Show Dance Championships, told host Christine Lampard he simply ‘doesn’t have time’
Keep dancing: On whether there’s extra pressure returning as the reigning champion, Oti said: ‘It’s exciting because I don’t know what I’m going to do’
Honest: During the chat, Oti, who married Marius in 2012, also spoke about how she feels putting her private side of herself out in the public domain
‘It’s new, it’s daunting. It’s not a side a lot of people who are on the other side of the camera like to show, but I feel like if you want to get to know people in their truest form and the most authentic, you do it through a show and with the people closest to you…they get to see our goofy side but it’s a challenge we’re looking forward to showing everyone,’ Oti said.
Marius added: ‘Our relationship on stage is pretty similar – we are actually perfectionists in what we do, so I think it works quite well.’
Back in March it was reported Marius would be joining Strictly Come Dancing as a troupe dancer.
Meanwhile Oti was said to have asked Strictly bosses that she be paired with an older celebrity contestant, following speculation over her relationship with her last partner, Kelvin, 37.
A source told The Sun on Sunday: ‘Marius is a very talented dancer. But the fact that this is being discussed after Oti was linked to Kelvin has certainly raised eyebrows.
They added: ‘Oti thinks his presence on the show will stop further rumours getting out of hand.’
‘Oti asked that she be paired with someone older in the next series to stop any speculation about the nature of their relationship.’
MailOnline contacted Strictly Come Dancing, Oti, and Kelvin’s representatives for comment at the time.
Lorraine is on ITV weekdays from 9am.
Distance: Meanwhile Oti was said to have asked Strictly bosses that she be paired with an older contestant, following speculation over her relationship with her last partner, Kelvin, 37