Trending Now: Oti Mabuse reveals why she picked up some Irish phrases during DWTS stint – Fans React

Oti Mabuse has revealed why she decided to learn a few Irish phrases during her time in Ireland.

The former Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer has switched allegiances this year as she came on board as head judge for RTÉ’s Dancing with the Stars.

Oti stepped into the role following the departure of Loraine Barry, who stepped back from the post after the 2024 season of the celebrity dance competition.

The South African native spoke to media ahead of the 100th episode of Dancing with the Stars, where she lifted the lid on her cúpla focail.

Oti explained that one of her drivers, PJ, had provided her with very astute advice before the show started.

‘I was asking all these cliché American things, and he was saying: “Please don’t say that. Don’t come on the show and say: Top of the morning to ya,”‘ she revealed.

‘I was like: “I thought that’s what I was supposed to say!” And then he started teaching me how to say: Dia Duit; Conás atá tú?

‘We just kept going,’ she added, ‘I see him, maybe, twice a month, and he teaches me one word or how to get around. I love languages, and I thought this would be a great language to learn.’

The dancing legend judges alongside Brian Redmond, Karen Byrne and Arthur Gourounlian, and lauded her co-judges for making her time on the show so enjoyable.

‘I would not have been able to do it if it wasn’t for them,’ she admitted, ‘Karen and Arthur have that experience of what it feels like to be someone new.’

Comparing her time on Strictly to Dancing with the Stars, Oti said her perspective was different due to the different roles she fulfils on either show.

‘On Strictly, I was a pro-dancer, so we were working five days a week with the celebrity, and then I performed on Saturday and Sunday,’ she said.

‘Here it’s really different, I’m mum five days a week, and then I fly out, and then I get to do the show over the weekend.’

With eight couples remaining, and just four more episodes, the competition is ramping up, but Oti is unsure of who can walk away with the Glitterball.

‘I genuinely believe in all of them,’ she confirmed, ‘At this point, I don’t even know who could win, any of them could win.’