Strictly Come Dancing favourite Oti Mabuse is swapping the ballroom for the kitchen after being confirmed for Celebrity MasterChef 2019.
The 28-year-old professional dancer was announced on Wednesday as one of the famous faces taking part in the new series, with Death In Paradise actress Elizabeth Bourgine, 62, also joining the lineup.
The pair are among the celebrities set to compete in the BBC cookery contest, all hoping to impress the judges and win the Celebrity MasterChef crown, currently held by former EastEnders star John Partridge.
From the cachucha to the cucina! Strictly Come Dancing professional Oti Mabuse has been confirmed as a contestant on Celebrity MasterChef 2019
It marks another high-profile appearance in a busy 2019 for Oti, who began the year as a judge on BBC One’s The Greatest Dancer alongside Cheryl and Matthew Morrison.
Her move from performer to panelist proved popular with viewers, many of whom were more accustomed to watching her compete for the Glitterball Trophy on Strictly Come Dancing.
Oti is due to return for the second series of The Greatest Dancer next year, but before then she will be back on the Strictly dance floor for the 2019 series.
She has been part of Strictly Come Dancing as a professional dancer since 2015, when she was paired with Olympic boxer Anthony Ogogo. The couple left the competition in Week three, finishing in 14th place.
Dancing into the kitchen: Oti has been a pro dancer on Strictly since 2015
![Aimez-vous cuisiner? The pro dancer, 28, was unveiled as one of the celeb participants for the new season on Wednesday, alongside Death In Paradise actress Elizabeth Bourgine, 62 [pictured]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/07/10/13/15865766-0-image-a-1_1562760790027.jpg)
Aimez-vous cuisiner? The pro dancer, 28, was unveiled as one of the celeb participants for the new season on Wednesday, alongside Death In Paradise actress Elizabeth Bourgine, 62 [pictured]
She was then paired with former-Hollyoaks actor Danny Mac for the show’s 14th season the following year with the couple reaching the final and finishing as runners-up.
In 2017 Oti was partnered with Paralympic sprinter Jonnie Peacock, eliminated in Week nine. Most recently she was paired with England cricketer Graeme Swann for the show’s 2018 run, eliminated in Week 10.
The full lineup is set to be revealed shortly, but always promises to serve up an eclectic who’s who of entertainment and sport, all jostling for a starring role in the competition.
Jam-packed: Oti has had a busy 2019, also appearing on BBC One’s The Greatest Dancer at the start of the year as a judge, alongside Cheryl and Matthew Morrison
From the cafe to the kitchen: EastEnders star Adam Woodyatt ‘will star on Celebrity Masterchef’ after 34 years of playing cafe boss Ian Beale
Judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace are back to preside over the cooking contenders, tasked with whittling down the 20 celebrity contestants across the six-week series.
Earlier in the year several names were speculated to be taking part on the 2019 edition of the long-running BBC show, with another EastEnders star at the forefront.
Adam Woodyatt – who, for 34 years, has played cafe boss Ian Beale in the British soap – is reported to be involved, as hinted by The Mirror in May.
Reigning champ: Adam is reported to be following in the footsteps of former EastEnders star John Partridge (pictured) who won Celebrity MasterChef last year, according to The Mirror
Judges: John Torode and Gregg Wallace are back to preside over the cooking contenders, tasked with whittling down the 20 celebrity contestants across the six-week series
Ian has manned Kathy’s Cafe, Beale’s Plaice chippy and a Walford East restaurant during his time on the soap.
In real life, actor Adam also set up Neat Gin, which is a London Dry Gin containing eight botanicals, with his wife Beverley – and so already has experience in the world of food and drink.
The Mirror also claimed I’m A Celeb winner Vicky Pattison, former-Gogglebox star Dom Parker, boxing champ Dillian Whyte, former-footballer Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock and former-boxing promoter Kellie Maloney are also taking part, although this remains unconfirmed.
