NEW DANCING WITH THE STARS HEAD JUDGE AND PRESENTER REVEALED

RTÉ has today revealed a new Head Judge and presenter line-up for the ninth series of the hit show Dancing with the Stars.

The new Head Judge on the dancefloor this coming season is Oti Mabuse, who joins judges Brian Redmond, Arthur Gourounlian and Karen Byrne. Oti will bring her expert opinions and professional analysis and viewers can look forward to seeing her fierce fashion and individual style week after week.

New Dancing with the Stars Head Judge, Oti Mabuse said; “I’m so excited to be joining Dancing with the Stars Ireland as Head Judge! Dance has been such a huge part of my life, and to now have the opportunity to celebrate the incredible talent and passion that Ireland has to offer is such a joy. As someone who has been on both sides of the judging table from performing as a professional dancer on Strictly to sitting on panels on different shows I know just how much heart, hard work and magic goes into every performance and how much this show means to everyone. Irish audiences have always been so warm, supportive and fun-loving, so I already know we’re going to have the most amazing time together. I’m looking forward to having the best time with my fellow judges and can’t wait to bring my love for performance and, of course, a whole lot of sparkle, to this fabulous show.”

Oti Mabuse is well-known for being a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing in the UK which she won in 2019 and 2020, and its German equivalent Let’s Dance. Between 2021 and 2022, Oti was a panelist on The Masked Dancer and has served as a judge on Dancing on Ice from 2022 until 2025. Oti won the South African Latin American Championship eight times, after which she moved to Germany to broaden her dancing horizons. She has earned a number of titles in her dancing career; including third place in World Cup Freestyle Latin in 2014, second place European Championship Latin in 2014 and first place in German Championship PD Freestyle Latin.