Oti Mabuse's best ever dances on 'Strictly Come Dancing'

Sad news for Strictly Come Dancing fans - cast favourite Oti Mabuse has confirmed she's quit the show.

The pro dancer has had seven successful series in the BBC One contest, including being the only dancer to have won two years in a row.

Read more: Oti Mabuse quits Strictly after seven years

She said: "I have been part of the most amazing TV show, Strictly Come Dancing, for the past seven years and it has been an incredible time. Lifting the Glitterball twice and having the best journey with all my celebrities, but also meeting and working with the best team, crew, producers, celebs and professional dancers! You are my family and I adore you all forever.

"I’m honestly so grateful to the BBC and will always remember that Strictly and the BBC brought me to the UK - which I now call home and I have learnt and grown so much. Thank You from the bottom of my heart.

"I can’t put in to words how difficult this decision has been, but I have decided not to return for the next series.

"Dance will always be my first love and to everyone, my family, friends, Strictly fans who have been my support throughout my Strictly journey, thank you for being incredible! You are irreplaceable in my heart and have made every day unforgettable! I love you.

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"I will always Keeeep Dancing! and I will never forget my amazing Strictly experience!"

Mabuse has many highlights to look back on from her time at Strictly - here are her best ever dances on the show.

Samba - Danny Mac

The Samba had always been one of those awkward dances that no celebrity quite managed to get right - until Oti Mabuse got her hands on it with Danny Mac.

Under her expert guidance, the pair managed to get the first ever 40 points for the dance style and even brought it back as one of their final routines.

It's probably the routine that Mac is best remembered for and definitely marked him out from the competition, setting the tone for couples in years to come who tried to live up to Mabuse's dance.

Charleston - Danny Mac

Hollyoaks star Mac's other best-performing routine with Mabuse was the Charleston, showing the pro could turn her hand to any style and bring out the best in her celebrity partners.

She led Mac to his first perfect score of the series with this suave yet funny routine that the judges loved and which took place in the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom.

Mabuse later went on to lead partner Kelvin Fletcher to a huge 38 points in the Charleston in just his third week of live shows.

Quickstep - Kelvin Fletcher

In 2019, disaster struck for Mabuse when her celebrity partner Jamie Laing injured himself during the launch show and had to quit.

However, as a testament to her teaching skills, she coached stand-in partner Fletcher to the final where they won the Glitterball Trophy on the back of some high-scoring, spectacular dances - including their Quickstep.

Read more: Kelvin Fletcher felt guilty taking Strictly space

Danced to The Lady is a Tramp, it clocked up a perfect score of 40 points for the couple.

Rumba - Kelvin Fletcher

Mabuse performed many of her most memorable dances with Fletcher which brought her to her first series win.

But one routine that can't go without mention is their Rumba, often a cringeworthy experience for male celebs but danced perfectly by Fletcher under Mabuse's tuition.

Read more: Which Strictly pro has the most wins?

It got a near-perfect score both in the early weeks and again in the final, particularly impressing Rumba Queen and head judge Shirley Ballas.

Couple's Choice - Bill Bailey

Bill Bailey is possibly Strictly's favourite ever winner, and we get the strong impression that he's up there on the partners list for Mabuse, too.

Of course, the couple's iconic routine was their Couple's Choice Street dance to Rapper's Delight where they wore matching suits and trilby hats, dancing in perfect synchrony.

Bailey had been expected to fill the role of joke contestant, but his hard work and Mabuse's unfailing skill to bring out the best in her partners meant that 2020 saw her become the only pro to lift the Glitterball two years in a row.

Watch: Kelvin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse dominate the dancefloor in first live Strictly show of the series