Oti Mabuse reveals struggles behind her departure from Strictly Come Dancing

Pressure and difficult contestants led to "dark days"

Former Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse has opened up about the challenging times that ultimately led her to quit the popular dance show. The pro dancer, who won the glitterball trophy twice, shocked fans when she announced her departure last year.

From triumph to struggle

Oti Mabuse had a triumphant run on Strictly, winning the coveted glitterball trophy in 2019 with actor Kelvin Fletcher and again in 2020 with comedian Bill Bailey. With two victories under her belt, many expected her to go for a third.

The dark side of the dancefloor

However, behind the scenes, Oti was facing immense pressure and dealing with difficult celebrity contestants, which took a toll on her well-being. She admitted that these challenges often left her struggling to eat properly, relying on her husband and fellow dancer, Marius Lepure, for support.

A glimpse behind the scenes

Describing her husband as an incredible source of strength, Oti revealed that he has witnessed the "dark days" when she felt overwhelmed and even found herself in tears in the shower with her clothes on. He was there to see her battle with food issues, both overeating and not eating at all. He witnessed the struggle of trying to bring out the best in difficult contestants and dealing with "interesting personalities."

An end to the journey

Ultimately, it was Marius who saw Oti at her breaking point and supported her decision to leave the show. After reaching a point where she felt finished, her husband agreed that it was time to move on from Strictly Come Dancing.

Oti Mabuse's revelation sheds light on the pressures that dancers face behind the scenes of popular shows like Strictly. Despite her success on the dancefloor, the toll it took on her mental and emotional well-being made her prioritize her own health and happiness.