Dancing On Ice | Interview with Oti Mabuse (Ice Panel)

Welcome to the greatest show on ice! What made you decide to join the Ice Panel?

Because it is the greatest show on ice! I love dance, I love all things dance. I’m really actually honoured to be on a show that celebrates dance. I think this country loves that. Britain celebrates that, it embraces that and I love being a part of that culture in any capacity.

And you are without question an incredible dancer but have you ever ice skated?

Yes, I’ve skated! I’m not saying I’ve skated well but I’ve skated.

You’ll be on the other side of the desk of course but do you think you might be tempted to have a go?

Absolutely not! I will not. First of all this is about the professionals and the celebrities having their moment. It’s not about me. I’m there to actually just critique what I think is great movement and celebrate them or help them get better so they can win. I will not be getting up and skating.

What are you going to be looking for from them?

I think I’m going to be looking for chemistry. I’m going to be looking for just that moment that gives you goosebumps. I’ll be looking for that every single week. To see them getting better, entertaining us – that’s what I want. I’ll be looking for people who love the show. It’s so obvious when somebody doesn’t love the show, isn’t obsessed with the show and I think the ones that are deserve to go far. They’re the ones that give their all and leave their heart out there.

Do you think you’ll be quite a strict judge?

No! I can be strict but no…I’ll be honest, I’ll be genuine and I’ll be passionate and I’ll be myself. I’ll always look for the good but also critique them and suggest what they can do to improve.

What do you think of this year’s line up?

Oh I think it’s brilliant! Kimberly – I adore her. Brendan, obviously I know Brendan. Of course I always look at the professional line up and I think the pros are brilliant! I have been a fan of the pros on this show for a long time. Bez will be entertaining, Ria I know from Lorraine. I really love all of them.

There are a lot of celebrities in the line up that have some dance experience, do you think that will stand them in good stead?

Yes! I hope so. I hope it takes the standard even higher, because so many of them are experienced it’s great for the pros I think. Coming from a professional dancing/teaching point of view it’s great to have someone who you can go wild with. You can do amazing choreography, you can really push yourself and your celeb so I’m hoping that the choreography that comes out is outstanding and there are things that shock everyone every single week!

If you were a contestant on the show, what kind of performance do you think you’d like to do?

I’d want to do those really fast spins and pirouettes! And be thrown up in the air! That’s seriously what I’d think I’d want – to be fast on my own feet, spin wildly and be thrown and caught!

You probably can’t say until their blades actually hit the ice but is there anyone from the line up that you think at this stage will really stand out?

I genuinely think Kimberly is going to be great. She’s partnered with Mark and he’s a fantastic choreographer. Vanessa and Brendan I think will be great. Connor and Alex – I think they’ll be brilliant as well. I’ve seen some of these guys in training from my online stalking, seeing the videos they’re posting.

The standard this year does seem so strong…

That’s what I mean! The fact that the level is so high gets me so excited. I’ve been watching their progress in their stories on Instagram and just going I’m sooooo excited! All their extensions and lines I’m like yassss!

How about your fellow judges, have you met with or worked with any of them before?

Yes, Ash and I have always been good friends. I’ve always said to him one day we’ll work together and I was saying that six or seven years ago so here we are. Last time I saw Chris he was a beagle! Jayne I haven’t met yet but I’m super excited to and have that gal pal relationship on the panel together.

You’ve obviously been on the panel of a couple of other shows before, do you have any pre-show rituals before getting into your judge’s chair?

No! Should I?! No, I don’t. The only thing I kind of do is that I’m just aware of the people I’ll be judging and how they’re feeling and I try to engage with that in that moment. In my head I just engage with the people who are performing.

And how about any fun little secrets that we can’t see behind the desk – do you make sure you bring snacks?

I used to have sweets but I stopped. Jonathan Ross taught me – vegetables. Everyone else often has sweets and crisps but Jonathan has celery and carrots and that’s what he and I snack on so it’s become my thing now.

How about kicking your heels off the moment you get behind that desk?

Absolutely! And a big blanket – particularly by the rink!

How do you feel about all of the drama of this show? Are you ready for some scary tricks like The headbanger?!

Oh yes! That’s what I want. I want all of the drama! They have to. I think that’s what makes an exciting show – the not knowing what’s going to come, the unexpected, it being emotional, out there, subtle or pulling people in. I think that’s what makes great choreography. And if you bring it every single week then good on you.

There are moments when you’ll be holding your breath!

I hope so. I hope I hold my breath the whole season!