I’m A Celeb star Oti Mabuse reveals she is taking part on the gruelling ITV show to ‘catch up on sleep’ after giving birth to her first child last year

I'm A Celeb star Oti Mabuse reveals she is taking part on the gruelling ITV show to 'catch up on sleep' after giving birth to her first child last year

As a seasoned performer and a mother of resilience, Oti is stepping into the jungle with a blend of anticipation and apprehension. Her life journey has been a whirlwind of glitz and glamour, yet she yearns for the raw, unadulterated experience that the jungle promises.


Oti Mabuse quipped that her participation in I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! is to make up for lost sleep since the arrival of her first child.

Previously known for Strictly Come Dancing, the 34-year-old woman discussed embracing her adventurous nature following her experience as a new mother.

Last Christmas, I was overjoyed to witness my beloved dance partner, Oti Mabuse, bring forth their precious little girl into the world, accompanied by her loving husband and equally talented dance pro, Marius Lepure.

The baby girl, whose name remains undisclosed, stayed for six weeks at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), as she was born ten weeks prematurely and weighed under 3 pounds.

She expressed that the moment finally seems appropriate, as she has been an admirer of I’m A Celebrity for such a long time.

Beyond Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing on Ice, there’s no other show I eagerly anticipate each season. Last year, as I sat down to watch, I thought to myself: “This seems perfect for me. I’m ready to take on this challenge now.

After welcoming my little girl into the world, I’m eager to return to the lively and entertaining version of myself known as Oti. I feel prepared for a fresh start and an exciting change in direction. I plan to embrace a more casual look, with no makeup, concealer, or false lashes – it feels liberating to let go and relax.

She emphasized that the extended periods spent around the campfire wouldn’t pose a problem because it would provide an excellent opportunity for her to make up for the significant amount of sleep she’s been missing as a new mother, stating, “As a new mom, I intend to take full advantage of this situation and catch up on a whole year’s worth of sleep!

I'm A Celeb star Oti Mabuse reveals she is taking part on the gruelling ITV show to 'catch up on sleep' after giving birth to her first child last year

I'm A Celeb star Oti Mabuse reveals she is taking part on the gruelling ITV show to 'catch up on sleep' after giving birth to her first child last year

Absolutely, not having my daughter around will be tough. She’s becoming a significant source of motivation for me. My spouse is thrilled about my participation in the program. He shares my enthusiasm for the show as well!

Prior to her adventure into the Australian jungle, Oti acknowledged that motherhood has had a profound impact on her, positively transforming her life.

She mentioned that experiencing motherhood for a year has enhanced her awareness, increased her resilience, heightened her sensitivity, and brought about a newfound maturity.

She said: ‘Motherhood really is non-stop and it’s a journey. It’s about finding out a lot about yourself and a lot about the baby, your husband, your marriage.’

In relation to her early delivery, she mentioned that she was still employed at the time. She was informed everything was fine, and the baby was healthy. However, the baby had turned upside-down and her head was properly positioned.

Despite their newborn daughter being quite small and even though Oti received a diagnosis of sepsis herself, she felt confident that all would turn out well.

Immediately following the birth, the infant underwent examinations, and she was put inside an incubator. Unfortunately, Oti and her spouse couldn’t cradle their newborn in their arms for an entire week.

Even though she wasn’t ready, she expressed: ‘I surprisingly found pleasure in childbirth. We sang various melodies. I sung through the discomfort, singing my favorite tunes.’ Yet, she admitted, even amidst the pain, she couldn’t dance.

I'm A Celeb star Oti Mabuse reveals she is taking part on the gruelling ITV show to 'catch up on sleep' after giving birth to her first child last year
I'm A Celeb star Oti Mabuse reveals she is taking part on the gruelling ITV show to 'catch up on sleep' after giving birth to her first child last year

While on the show, Oti predicts coming face-to-face with a snake will be her toughest challenge.

She confessed, “Deep within me, I imagine myself as a superhero, but snakes fill me with terror. They are my greatest fear.

Although Oti prepares meals for her daughter at home, she doesn’t consider herself a cook and finds greater joy in cutting an octopus’ tentacle than attempting to create a scrumptious dish.

She mentioned that she’s not a great chef, but she’s quite useful and capable of chopping up an octopus’ tentacle should the situation require it.

Although her cooking abilities aren’t particularly strong, she plans to amuse her celebrity companions by showing them some dance steps from ballroom dancing instead.

I aspire to play the role of a nurturing camp mother. I am confident that I can lend an ear to stories, inspire and perhaps add some joy through a little dance.

She’s excited about showing a variety of dance steps to everyone, and together we’ll put on an original talent exhibition deep in the wilderness! What she’s especially thrilled about is forging priceless bonds with individuals she wouldn’t typically encounter.

I'm A Celeb star Oti Mabuse reveals she is taking part on the gruelling ITV show to 'catch up on sleep' after giving birth to her first child last year
I'm A Celeb star Oti Mabuse reveals she is taking part on the gruelling ITV show to 'catch up on sleep' after giving birth to her first child last year

Furthermore, having won Strictly Come Dancing previously, she promises to display her competitive spirit during the Bushmaster Challenges as well.

She notes that this particular program rewards those who are resolute, driven, and competitive during a challenge. The objective is to secure the stars.

As a die-hard admirer, I can’t hide my excitement about Oti Mabuse stepping onto Dancing on Ice! Despite being known for her glamorous stints in showbiz, I have a feeling the judges will be taken aback when they see her on the rink. Yet, I suspect some of her former Strictly colleagues might secretly relish the thought that she’s tackling her big fears head-on!

She acknowledges they’ll all have a good chuckle, for sure. Some may even be overjoyed about it. It’s going to be their moment of vindication! However, I believe everyone participating in Dancing on Ice will be genuinely taken aback by the reaction.

It’s exciting for everyone to witness me outside of the entertainment industry, and I must admit, stepping away from judging on TV will prove to be a much greater challenge. While judging allows me to enjoy a delightful show, savor a Sunday dinner, and then return home, this experience promises to be at least 100 times more difficult. In fact, I’m certain that there will be moments when tears will fall during this adventure.

‘I do cry on Dancing on Ice. I think we will see a bucket load of tears from me.’

As an ardent admirer, if I were to find myself standing on the podium as the Queen of the Jungle, words wouldn’t suffice to describe the emotions surging within me! Yet, the truth is, that crown isn’t my ultimate aim. Instead, it’s the thrill of embracing fresh adventures and overcoming new challenges that lures me into the jungle.

Read More

2024-11-11 22:36

Previous post Health condition prevents Queen Camilla from attending Festival of Remembrance