Two-time Strictly Come Dancing champion Oti Mabuse has said she loves how "really, really competitive" all the contestants are on RTÉ One's Dancing with the Stars, describing it as "so refreshing" that no one shies away from the challenge.
Mabuse, who has joined the judging panel for the show's ninth series, replacing Loraine Barry, is joined by fellow judges Brian Redmond, Arthur Gourounlian, and Karen Byrne. She said the panel welcomed her with open arms.
Speaking to RTÉ Entertainment, she said: "I genuinely do enjoy it. I also think it's because of Brian, Karen, and Arthur. I would not have been able to do it without them. Karen and Arthur know what it feels like to be new in that position. Karen only started last year, so she's been really kind, and we have so much fun."
She added: "Brian is almost like my tour guide - every show I'm like, 'What's happening now?' He's been amazing. And Arthur is such a good friend. We have so much fun; I recently went to his house and met his daughters, and we had a little play date."
Mabuse, who previously appeared as a panellist on The Masked Dancer and judged Dancing on Ice from 2022 to 2025, praised the collaborative atmosphere of the show. "I think it's best not to have any sort of hierarchy - we're all equal, and we're all meeting for the first time. I genuinely want everyone in the country to watch this show and to produce a good show," she said.
She also admitted she was surprised by how competitive the Irish contestants - and presenters - are. "I was talking last night to Laura [Fox] and Jen [Zamparelli] – they were so into their team dances and really competitive with it, and I love that.
"With the celebs, I don't get to spend time with them outside rehearsals because I want to judge them solely on what I see. I want to get to know them through dance first, and then, when I'm not judging, we can have brilliant conversations."
Mabuse concluded: "I love that everyone is really, really competitive and no one is shying away from saying it. That is so refreshing."
Dancing with the Stars airs Sundays at 6:30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
