Strictly’s Oti Mabuse reveals secret feud with ex pro dancer saying he ‘rubbed cast up wrong way’ with his ‘personality’

STRICTLY Come Dancing alum Oti Mabuse opened up about a secret feud with a former pro dancer – saying he ‘rubbed cast up wrong way’. South African-born Oti, 35, appeared as a professional dancer on the BBC show from 2015 to 2021. Strictly Come Dancing legend Oti Mabuse revealed a ‘secret feud’ with a fellow former pro Credit: tiktok/@otimabuse AJ Pritchard is competing in spin-off series Dancing With The Stars: The Next Pro – aiming to find a professional for the US iteration Credit: TikTok/dwts50 Taking to TikTok, she answered a fan question about Dancing WithThe Stars: The Next Pro – which aims to find new professional dancer for US iteration, Dancing With The Stars. Among the cast is AJ Pritchard, who was previously a Strictly pro from 2016 to 2019. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! Addressing whether it was ‘fair’ for AJ to participate given his prior experience, Oti said: “I think AJ has said a lot of things, both about Strictly as a brand. “I don’t even know how to word this… might have rubbed a lot of people the wrong way with his personality. We can admit that as well. Oti was a Strictly pro for six years – winning in 2019 and 2020 (pictured with Bill Bailey) Credit: BBC AJ was a professional on Strictly from 2016 to 2019 (pictured with Saffron Barker) Credit: PA “Him coming out in public and saying he wants British dancers on a British show because Strictly is [in] Britain.” The Sun has contacted AJ’s representatives for comment. Oti went on to outline how the “most popular pros” on Strictly had not been British. She referenced Dianne Buswell, Aljaž Škorjanec, Janette Manrara, Vito Coppola, Katya Jones and Nikita Kuzmin as recent examples. Most read in TV Oti said: “You can imagine for a lot of people, [AJ’s comments] would’ve rubbed people the wrong way.” She highlighted the benefit of Strictly showcasing dances from around the world, courtesy of having professionals from those countries. Oti added: “He’s gone off, left the biggest brand and just been really horrible about it. So that might rub a lot of people the wrong way. “He left and decided, ‘Okay, maybe now I’m recharged, I’ve grown and I’d like another opportunity’. “Do I think he should now try and go to the American one? Yeah, maybe that might work out better for him. “Maybe his personality might be a little more palatable there.” Meanwhile, her caption read: “Let’s allow people dream to manifest and not block blessings! Wish aj the best of luck.” Comment now