Oti Mabuse – Biography, Strictly Wins, and Book

Oti Mabuse is one of the most recognisable faces in competitive ballroom television, having won the coveted Glitterball Trophy on Strictly Come Dancing twice, first with Kelvin Fletcher in 2019 and then with Bill Bailey in 2020. Born in Pretoria in 1990, she rose from an eight-time South African Latin American Champion to a prime-time television judge and author, all while maintaining a close partnership with her husband and fellow dancer Marius Iepure.

The younger sister of Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse, Oti has carved out a career that spans professional dance, broadcasting, and fiction writing. She currently serves as Head Judge on Ireland’s Dancing with the Stars and co-owns the OtiMarius Dance Studio. Her journey from civil engineering student to ballroom star reflects a determination that continues to inspire fans around the world.

Who Is Oti Mabuse? Biography and Background

Oti Mabuse’s Personal Life: Husband, Sister, and Children

Husband Marius Iepure

Oti met her husband, Romanian dancer Marius Iepure, after moving to Nuremberg in 2012. They became dance partners and later married in 2014. The couple co-owns the OtiMarius Dance Studio in London and toured the UK in 2018 with Ian Waite for An Audience With. Marius remains a central figure in both her professional and personal life.

Sister Motsi Mabuse

Many fans ask whether Oti and Motsi Mabuse are twins — they are not. Oti is the younger sister. Motsi is a seasoned dancer who has served as a judge on the German Let’s Dance and joined the UK Strictly Come Dancing judging panel in 2019. The sisters grew up dancing together in South Africa and have both reached the highest levels of the competitive dance and television world.

Children and Family

As of 2026, Oti and Marius have one child, a daughter. In 2025, Oti announced via Instagram that she is expecting a second baby, sharing a post with the caption “blue was a bit of me,” which many fans interpreted as a hint that the child is a boy. The couple has not publicly confirmed the gender. Oti tends to keep family life relatively private, sharing only occasional glimpses on social media.

Oti Mabuse’s Career Highlights: Strictly Come Dancing and More

Early Dance Career

Oti began dancing at the age of four and went on to become an eight-time South African Latin American Champion. She studied civil engineering at university but decided to pursue professional ballroom dancing full-time. In 2012 she moved to Nuremberg, Germany, where she partnered with Marius Iepure. Together they competed for Germany, winning the Professional German Championship in Showdance Latin and finishing third at the World Championships.

Strictly Come Dancing Triumphs

Oti joined the UK’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2015 as the first South African professional dancer on the show. Her early partnerships yielded mixed results — she reached the final with Danny Mac in 2016, scoring a perfect 40 in the Charleston, Samba, and Showdance, but finished second. In 2017 she was partnered with Paralympian Jonnie Peacock (eighth place), and in 2018 with cricketer Graeme Swann (week ten).

The breakthrough came in 2019 when she paired with actor Kelvin Fletcher. The duo won the Glitterball Trophy, and Oti returned the following year to win again with comedian Bill Bailey. She remains the only professional dancer to have won back-to-back titles with two different celebrities on the UK series.

Post-Strictly Roles

After seven series, Oti left Strictly Come Dancing in 2022. She immediately took on a judging role on ITV’s Dancing on Ice (2022–2025) and was a panellist on The Masked Dancer. In 2026 she became the Head Judge on the Irish version of Dancing with the Stars.

Oti Mabuse’s Book: Slow Burn and Other Projects

Oti released her debut fiction romance novel, Slow Burn, on 11 September 2025. The book is described as “spicy, romantic, full of dance” and tells the story of a dancer navigating love and ambition. Pre-orders were available through the link in her Instagram bio. The novel marks a significant expansion of her creative output beyond television and dance.

Oti also produced a BBC One documentary, Oti Mabuse – My South Africa, which aired in November 2022. The programme explored her roots and her connection to the country where she began dancing.

Timeline: Key Milestones in Oti Mabuse’s Career

1. 1990 – Born in Pretoria, South Africa.
2. 2000s – Becomes eight-time South African Latin American Champion.
3. 2012 – Moves to Nuremberg, Germany; finds dance partner Marius Iepure.
4. 2014 – Joins German Let’s Dance as a professional dancer.
5. 2015 – Joins UK Strictly Come Dancing as a professional.
6. 2019 – Wins Strictly with Kelvin Fletcher.
7. 2020 – Wins Strictly again with Bill Bailey; marries Marius Iepure.
8. 2022 – Leaves Strictly after seven series; judges Dancing on Ice.
9. 2025 – Publishes novel Slow Burn.
10. 2026 – Becomes Head Judge on Dancing with the Stars Ireland.

What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear?

The Broader Context: Oti Mabuse’s Impact and Evolution

Oti Mabuse’s rise from South African champion to global television personality reflects the growing crossover between competitive dance and mainstream entertainment. She and her sister Motsi represent a rare sibling duo — both have reached the top of the professional dance world and have become judges on major shows. Oti’s departure from Strictly allowed her to pivot to judging, writing, and studio ownership, demonstrating a deliberate career evolution. At the same time, she maintains a degree of privacy around her family life, particularly regarding her children, which stands in contrast to her very public professional roles.

The lack of official confirmation about certain personal details — such as net worth or specific weight-loss methods — underscores that Oti chooses to share what she feels comfortable with. Her fitness message, delivered through dance classes and social media, emphasises movement and joy over appearance.

Sources and Quotes

“Born in Pretoria in South Africa, Oti began dancing as a young child alongside her sister Motsi.”

— BBC Strictly Profile

“She is best known for being a professional dancer on the British television series Strictly Come Dancing, which she won in 2019 and 2020.”

— Wikipedia

“Patron Oti is best known as a professional dancer on BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing since 2015. As an eight-time South African Latin American Champion.”

— ISTD Profile

For more information, refer to the Oti Mabuse Wikipedia entry, the ISTD profile, and the BBC Strictly page. Oti’s own updates can be found on TikTok and Instagram.

Summary: Oti Mabuse’s Current and Future Directions

Oti Mabuse continues to expand her influence as Head Judge on Dancing with the Stars Ireland, co-owner of a thriving dance studio, and published author. Her recent novel, Slow Burn, signals a move into fiction, and with a growing family, she balances public visibility with personal privacy. Her Strictly Come Dancing wins remain a defining part of her legacy, but her career now stretches far beyond the ballroom.

Frequently Asked Questions