Oti Mabuse to replace John Barrowman as Dancing On Ice judge

Strictly star Oti Mabuse will replace John Barrowman as the new judge on Dancing On Ice, ITV has announced.

The Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer has said it is “more than an honour” to join the ice panel alongside fellow judges Ashley Banjo, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean in January 2022.

The 31-year-old will be replacing Barrowman, who had featured on the panel of the celebrity skating competition since 2019, after appearing on the programme as a contestant in 2006.

Mabuse, who won the BBC dancing show two years in a row with soap star Kelvin Fletcher and comedian Bill Bailey, said: “As a professional dancer I have always had so much respect for the skating professionals on Dancing On Ice.

“It is an exceptional skill that is also so beautiful to watch. I’m feeling really enthusiastic about joining the panel alongside the legendary Torvill and Dean and Ashley Banjo.

“I can’t wait to see the celebrities thrive as they learn how to ice-skate and to champion the professional skaters as they create incredible choreography.

“Having been on both sides of the table, I know a little bit about how they’ll be feeling. It’s more than an honour and I already can’t wait to join the family.”

Earlier this year, ITV confirmed Barrowman would not be returning as a judge for the next series of Dancing On Ice.

Barrowman said his departure was unrelated to the accusations that he repeatedly exposed himself on the set of Doctor Who and its sister show Torchwood.

The actor, who starred as Captain Jack Harkness, said his exit was prompted by him taking on another role on All Star Musicals, another ITV series.

Katie Rawcliffe, head of entertainment commissioning at ITV, said: “Oti is not only a supremely talented dancer and choreographer but she brings enormous fun and energy to all that she does. It’s fantastic to be welcoming her to our Ice Panel.”

Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby will return to present the 2022 star-studded show featuring Coronation Street actress Sally Dynevor, Love Island’s Liberty Poole, Happy Mondays dancer Bez and Paralympian Stef Reid.

Rugby star Ben Foden, Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt, and Paul Gascoigne’s son and dancer Regan Gascoigne will join pop star Rachel Stevens, professional dancer Brendan Cole, presenter Ria Hebden, BMX Olympic silver medallist Kye Whyte and The Vamps’ Connor Ball to skate live each week.

Guiding the celebrity novices through their routines will be reigning champion professional Angela Egan, who lifted the trophy with Sonny Jay last series, and Matt Evers, who has been a part of show since its launch in 2006.

Alexandra Schauman and husband Lukasz Rozycki, Andy Buchanan and wife Robin Johnstone will return to the ITV series this year alongside Mark Hanretty, Brendyn Hatfield, Vanessa Bauer, Karina Manta and Joe Johnson.

Completing the professional team are three brand-new additions as competitive figure skaters Morgan Swales, Tippy Packard and Colin Grafton all make their Dancing on Ice debuts.

Dancing On Ice airs on STV in January 2022.