Oti Mabuse has 'burnt bridges' with Strictly bosses after 'badmouthing' show - following ex pro's comments that it is 'uncomfortable to watch'

Published: 13:02 EST, 14 November 2026 | Updated: 13:05 EST, 14 November 2026 Oti Mabuse has reportedly 'burnt bridges' with Strictly Come Dancing bosses after 'badmouthing' the show.The professional dancer, 36, who was one of the show's most successful pros during her seven-year tenure, recently launched a podcast called The Fifth Judge with husband Marius Lepure in which she gives her verdict on the latest dances.Despite her own sister Motsi being on the judging panel, Oti hasn't held back on her opinion of the BBC programme, with the latest episode seeing her branding the show 'uncomfortable to watch' while also taking a swipe at the harsh scores.And while Oti has been a friend of the show since leaving in 2022 and has been invited on as a choreographer on a few occasions, it seems as though her recent 'unfavourable' comments have ruffled the feathers of Strictly top dogs.So much so that it's been said that the dancer 'probably won’t be asked back' anytime soon as there's now been a 'change of heart'.A source told The Sun: 'Oti’s comments have actually been seen by some to be rather unfavourable. She hasn’t held back and has almost been too honest and seen to be badmouthing the programme.'Oti Mabuse has reportedly 'burnt bridges' with Strictly Come Dancing bosses after 'badmouthing' the show The professional dancer, 36, who was one of the show's most successful pros, recently launched a podcast called The Fifth Judge in which she gives her verdict on the latest dances [pictured on Strictly in 2016]It is understood that there was initially 'some discussion' when she first launched her podcast back in September due to it 'heavily relying' on Strictly's output, but due to her ongoing good relationship with the show, there were no fears that she'd enter into 'dangerous territory'.However, her recent feedback is said to have 'upset' people behind the scenes of the BBC juggernaut. The insider continued: 'Everyone has always backed Oti and wanted her to remain a loyal friend to the show but the sentiment has changed over recent weeks.'It has been rather upsetting for those who have championed her to see. She probably won’t be asked back to work with the show until the dust has settled.'However, a further source spoke out in defence of the star, insisting she meant 'absolutely no malice' and never intended to 'upset' anyone with her remarks, stating that she's tried to give 'professional' feedback just like the judges would do. The Daily Mail have contacted representatives of Oti and Strictly for comment. It comes after Oti hit out at the 'mean' judging on Strictly after viewers complained the voting was all over the place on last Saturday's show. On her latest podcast episode, Oti said she found the show 'uncomfortable to watch' as she took a swipe at the harsh scores after Craig Revel Horwood scored a four for Cach Mercer. 'Oti’s comments have actually been seen by some to be rather unfavourable. She hasn’t held back and has almost been too honest and seen to be badmouthing the programme' 'It has been rather upsetting for those who have championed her to see. She probably won’t be asked back to work with the show until the dust has settled' [pictured: the judges] In her new podcast The Fifth Judge with husband Marius Lepure, Oti said she found the show 'uncomfortable to watch' as she took a swipe at the harsh scores Oti said: 'The judging was crazy. I think some people were massively underscored.'It was so uncomfortable to watch and then I thought people were massively overscored.' Oti commented that head judge Shirley Ballas having a guest stint on the judging panel on Dancing With The Stars changed the competition and believes she went head-to-head with Craig on who can be the 'mean judge'. Oti continued: 'I think Shirley went to America and was the mean judge and she got all this press.'She flipped Dancing With The Stars upside down and then she came back to Strictly and she flipped Strictly upside down.'Then Craig said, "that’s my job, you can do it in America, but my job is to be the mean judge".'What it did to me was go, "oh, this is such a sad show,’ – I can see these couples are working so hard and I can see Lacey [Turner] is growing in confidence".''They made it about who can be the mean judge and they completely took away the hard work that you put in as a professional and as a celeb.' Marius then commented: 'Even Anton was being a bit too much.' Oti skimmed over talking about her sister Motsi and concluded: 'Anyway that was my rant.'