OTI MABUSE JOINS DANCING ON ICE JUDGING PANEL

It has been officially confirmed that Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Oti Mabuse will be joining the judging panel for ITV's Dancing On Ice when it return in the new year.

Oti will replace John Barrowman. She will be joined on the panel by returning judges Christopher Dean, Jayne Torvill and Ashley Banjo. Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby return to present the skating competition.

Oti Mabuse said: "As a professional dancer I have always had so much respect for the skating professionals on Dancing On Ice. It is an exceptional skill that is also so beautiful to watch. I'm feeling really enthusiastic about joining the panel alongside the legendary Torvill and Dean and Ashley Banjo...

"I can't wait to see the celebrities thrive as they learn how to ice-skate and to champion the professional skaters as they create incredible choreography. Having been on both sides of the table, I know a little bit about how they’ll be feeling. It's more than an honour and I already can’t wait to join the family."

ITV's Katie Rawcliffe added: "Oti is not only a supremely talented dancer and choreographer but she brings enormous fun and energy to all that she does. It’s fantastic to be welcoming her to our Ice Panel."

The celebrities competing on the series are Coronation Street legend Sally Dynevor, Happy Mondays dancer Bez, Paralympian Stef Reid, Love Island’s Liberty Poole, rugby star Ben Foden, Popstar and actress Kimberly Wyatt, Paul Gascoigne’s son, Regan Gascoigne, pop star Rachel Stevens, professional dancer Brendan Cole, presenter Ria Hebden, BMX Olympic silver medalist Kye Whyte and The Vamps' Connor Ball.

Dancing On Ice returns this January on ITV and ITV Hub.