Oti Mabuse will return to 'The Masked Dancer'.
Oti Mabuse will return to The Masked Dancer panel
Bandicoot TV chief Derek McLean has confirmed the 'Strictly Come Dancing' pro will once again be part of the panel on the ITV show, admitting it was a "no brainer" to sign her up again.
He said: “Yes, Oti will be back. She is great. She has that level of dance skill and her critical eye is so good for dance. It is a no-brainer that she is coming back."
Derek also admitted Oti has an "unbelievable eye" for spotting masked stars, after she correctly identified 'Strictly' judge Craig Revel Horwood on last year's 'The Masked Dancer'.
He added to the Daily Star newspaper's Hot TV column: "It is interesting that last year she was watching Knickerbocker Glory for weeks and not knowing who it was – and then the one time just as he walked off stage and he was no longer concentrating on hiding himself she realised it was Craig Revel Horwood from the way he walked.
"She recognised his gait and the way he walked. She has an unbelievable eye and she is very competitive, so she’s very good."
Last year's panel featured Mo Gilligan, Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross, and Oti.
This news comes after Oti - who is currently on the 'Dancing on Ice' judging panel - admitted it is "not for [her] to say" if she is returning to 'Strictly' later this year.
Asked if she would be "gutted" if she "didn't have time" for the BBC show this year, Oti replied: "Everybody keeps asking me. It's not for me to say.
"'Strictly' is such a big machine and no one is bigger than that show. To touch anything around 'Strictly' is such an honour and it will always be who I am. For everyone who's on it and part of it on and off screen, we all truly love it."
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