The race is on to fill the celeb spots on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
But there’s also another important role that needs filling – who will replace Darcey Bussell on the judge’s panel?
Read more: Gino D’Acampo reveals he turned down Strictly offer
Darcey announced she was leaving the show after seven years in April, and one of the favourites to step into her shoes has now been ‘ruled out’.
Oti Mabuse has become a firm fan favourite since she joined the show in 2015.
The Sun reports that Strictly bosses were keen on promoting Oti, 28, after her stint as a judge on The Greatest Dancer.
But they were said to have ‘decided against it for fear of upsetting the other professional dancers’.
Read more: Chris Evans ‘pulls out of Strictly for second time’
A source was quoted as saying: “The move would have caused uproar among the cast – it would be one thing giving Anton the role, but Oti is still a fledgling in her career.
“The thought was that the other dancers wouldn’t react well to Oti being a judge.
“She is popular, but if the dynamic changed and she went from being one of them into another role on the show it’s likely that this would cause friction and upset.”
Read more: Craig Revel Horwood says Nicole Sherzinger would be perfect fit for Strictly judge
Popular pro dancer, Anton Du Beke, threw his hat into the ring to replace Darcey soon after her announcement but has been ‘overlooked’ several times.
Last month, it was also reported that former Strictly winner Harry Judd was reportedly in talks to return to the hit BBC show and fill Darcey’s position on the panel, alongside Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood and head judge, Shirley Ballas.
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