OTI Mabuse has gone down a storm since making her Dancing On Ice debut – not least with those working on the show.
Three-time winner and now associate creative director Dan Whiston said the Strictly star’s glamorous look made his heart stop.
In an exclusive chat with The Celeb Report, he said: “She stepped out in week one with legs up to her ears and my heart nearly stopped because she just looked amazing. She looked absolutely beautiful.
“I think her critique has been amazing so far. I think she’s a great add on to the judging desk and I’m really excited to see what she’s going to bring to the show.
“They have changed the judging panel in the past, it’s nothing personal, they just like to keep it fresh. I think she’s bringing a real edge to it.”
Oti has fit in seamlessly after two live shows, filling the gap left by former judge John Barrowman.
Meanwhile Bez will “live his dream” when he becomes Indiana Jones on tonight’s show.
The Happy Monday’s star, 57, is set to transform into Harrison Ford’s legendary archaeologist for Movie Week and will leave it all on the ice.
Dan said: “He’s going to be debuting Indiana Jones for us. We’ve put this amazing creative together and he is absolutely living his dream, he’s like ‘Dan, this is my dream. I’ve always wanted to be Indiana Jones’. Keep your eyes peeled anything really can happen.
It’ll be a triumphant return to the ice for the maraca-shaking Mancunian, after a bout of coronavirus disrupted his training last week.
But Dan said if there was an ideal time in the competition to be sidelined with illness then just after performance one was probably it.
Despite being shaky on the ice and having to wear a helmet for his own safety, Bez survived the first eviction with rugby ace Ben Foden being sent home last weekend.
While Ben’s wife Jackie Belanoff-Smith was furious that her man lost out and slammed the show for prioritising popularity over skill, Dan believes the voting system is one of the show’s strengths.
Reflecting on last Sunday’s result, he said: “It always takes me by surprise, and I don’t think it helps matters that the standard is so high, but unfortunately the nature of the beast is somebody has to go. Unfortunately it was Ben, and we really miss Ben.
“The beauty of our show is it’s a public show. They get their chance to have their say and that is the point in voting. Whoever they want to keep in the show they will decide, and I think that’s the beauty of Dancing On Ice.
“Personality has a lot to do with it, as does the standard of the show. People will back who they want to back because of their own personal reasons.
“Who knows, Bez will have a huge following and I think people really admire and appreciate what Bez will bring to the show, and maybe some people of a higher standard might go out of the show, they may not, it’s in the hands of the public.”
