Strictly Come Dancing fans say they are already missing Oti Mabuse

Strictly Come Dancing fans were left missing one of the show’s most beloved stars as Oti Mabuse was nowhere to be seen on Friday’s launch episode.

The BBC hit is back for another series with the celebrity contestants being partnered up with their professional dance partners on Friday.

But two-time champion Oti, 32, was absent as she previously confirmed she would not be returning for the 2022 series as she focuses on other projects.

Her absence was glaring for many viewers who quickly took to social media to express their sadness that she wouldn’t be seen this season.

One user wrote: ‘Not gonna lie, I really miss Oti,’ while another said: ‘I keep remembering that Oti isn’t on Strictly this year’.

Another fan added: ‘I’m really going to miss Oti this year. He choreography every year was always amazing.’

Other viewers noted that Aljaz Skorjanec was also not taking part this year, with one writing: ‘I miss oti & Aljaz so much but the new professionals are gorgeous’.

Return: The BBC hit is back for another series with the celebrity contestants being partnered up with their professional dance partners on Friday (this year’s female dancers pictured)

Oti took to Instagram in February and confirmed that she wouldn’t be returning to the BBC One dance show after seven years. 

Oti shared a selection of photographs highlighting her time on Strictly, with snaps of herself alongside her celebrity partners, and a group shot from the latest series.

She captioned the post: ‘Never easy to say goodbye ♥️ 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 glitter ball twice and having the best journey with all my celebrities, but also meeting and working with the best team, crew, producers, celebs and incredible professional dancers!

Reaction: Her absence was glaring for many viewers who quickly took to social media to express their sadness that she wouldn’t be seen this season

‘You are my family and I adore you all forever. Thank you @sarahjamesface @jack.will.g and @jasongilkison for truly believing in me.

‘I’m honestly so grateful to The BBC and will always remember that Strictly and 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 into words how difficult this decision has been, but I have decided not to return for the next series.

Departure: Oti took to Instagram in February and confirmed that she wouldn’t be returning to the BBC One dance show after seven years (pictured with Kelvin Fletcher in 2019)

‘Dance will always be my first love and to everyone, my family especially, friends, strictly fans and judges who have been my support throughout my strictly journey, thank you for being incredible!

‘You are irreplaceable in my heart and have made everyday unforgettable! I love you. I will always Keeeep Dancing! and I will never forget my amazing Strictly experience! Lots of Love Oti xxx.’

She left Strictly after winning the Glitterball trophy in two consecutive years with Emmerdale star Kelvin Fletcher. and comedian Bill Bailey. 

Memories: Oti shared a selection of photographs highlighting her time on Strictly, with snaps of herself alongside her celebrity partners (pictured with Bill Bailey in 2020)

Leading the pack this year is reigning champion Giovanni Pernice, who will form one of two same-sex pairings this series, as he takes to the floor with Richie Anderson, while comedian Jayde Adams will perform with Karen Hauer.

Elsewhere, Helen Skelton will take to the floor with Gorka Marquez after becoming a last-minute addition to the show, while Katya Jones has been partnered with footballer Tony Adams.

For the first time in the show’s history, there will be two same-sex couples performing in the same series, with Karen, who last year danced with Greg Wise, taking to the floor with comedian Jayde. 

Kai Widdrington, who was last year forced to withdraw from the final after his celebrity partner AJ Odudu suffered an injury, will this year dance with broadcaster Kaye Adams. 

Revealed! The Strictly Come Dancing 2022 pairings have been revealed and leading the pack is reigning champion Giovanni Pernice, who will form one of two same-sex pairings this series, while Helen Skelton will take to the floor with Gorka Marquez

Paralympic champion Ellie Simmonds will dance with Nikita Kuzmin, who last year took to the floor with Tilly Ramsay, while singer and DJ Fleur East has been coupled with newcomer Vito Coppola. 

Last year’s finalist Johannes Radebe, who had performed with Great British Bake Off star John Whaite, will this year dance with comedian Ellie Taylor.

EastEnders star James Bye, who insists he has ‘got zero dance experience’ will perform with pro Amy Dowden, while singer and CBBC star Molly Rainford will take to the dancefloor with series newcomer Carlos Gu.

Coronation Street star Kym Marsh will dance with Graziano Di Prima, who last year took to the floor with Judi Love, while Matt Goss has been paired up with Nadiya Bychkova.

Show them what you’ve got! The fifteen couples have been working hard in the training room, with all of them taking to the floor for the first time with their partners on Friday

New faces: During Friday’s launch the four pros were officially introduced to viewers through a pre-filmed cinematic dance routine

DJ Tyler West will dance with Dianne Buswell, who last year withdrew from the series alongside Robert Webb due to his health concerns. 

Rounding out this year’s couples are actor Will Mellor, who has been partnered with Nancy Xu, and Countryfile’s Hamza Yassin, who will dance with Jowita Przystal. 

The fifteen couples have been working hard in the training room, with their debut performance set to air during the first Strictly live show on Saturday, with the judging panel scoring each dance out of 40.

The pairs will then deliver a second performance the following week when the public vote will open, before a results show on Sunday reveals which two pairs received the fewest votes and must compete in the dance off.

The judges will then decide which couple they would like to save, and the other pair will be eliminated.

Strictly Come Dancing 2022: Who are the couples?

HELEN SKELTON AND GORKA MARQUEZ 

Helen Skelton and Gorka Marquez

Celebrity’s age: 39

Profession: TV and radio broadcaster

Helen says: ‘I’m really excited to get stuck into a fun adventure. My family and friends have always loved the show and can’t wait for me to get started’

ELLIE SIMMONDS AND NIKITA KUZMIN 

Ellie Simmonds and Nikita Guzman

Celebrity’s age: 27

Profession: Former athlete 

Ellie says: ‘To be asked to be part of the Strictly family is just so exciting and I cannot wait, it’s going to so much fun.’

ELLIE TAYLOR AND JOHANNES RADEBE 

Ellie Taylor and Johannes Radebe

Celebrity’s age: 38

Profession: Comedian

Ellie says: ‘Well, cover me in fake tan and roll me in sequins! I’m absolutely over the moon to be a part of Strictly 2022!’

FLEUR EAST AND VITO COPPOLA 

Fleur East and Vito Coppola

Celebrity’s age: 34 

Profession: Singer

Fleur says:  ‘I’m equally nervous and thrilled to be part of this year’s Strictly line up. I’m excited to learn new skills and I want to soak up every moment of this magical experience.’

JAMES BYE AND AMY DOWDEN 

James Bye and Amy Dowden

Celebrity’s age: 38

Profession: EastEnders actor

James says ‘I’m not known for my shimmy or my twinkle toes – in fact my kids regularly laugh at my dad dancing but it’s an honour to be asked and I’m going to give it my best shot.’

JAYDE ADAMS AND KAREN HAUER 

Jayde Adams and Karen Hauer

Celebrity’s age: 37

Profession: Comedian

Jayde says: ‘I’ve been a massive fan of the show for years. I feel like I’m watching myself in a dream and I can’t believe I’ve manifested this.’

TYLER WEST AND DIANNE BUSWELL 

Tyler West and Dianne Buswell

Celebrity’s age: 26

Profession: Radio DJ

Tyler says: ‘It’s a show that means so much to me and my family and I can’t wait to seriously shake a leg on that shiny dance floor… with a side of sequins.’

HAMZA YASSIN AND JOWITA PRZYSTAL 

Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal

Celebrity’s age: 35

Profession: Wildlife cameraman and presenter

Hamza says: ‘I am absolutely over the moon to be joining Strictly 2022. Never in a million years did I think I’d be on such a cool show.’

RICHIE ANDERSON AND GIOVANNI PERNICE 

Richie Anderson and Giovanni Pernice

Celebrity’s age: 34

Profession: Radio presenter 

Richie says: ‘This is a dream come true! I cannot wait to get in those sparkles and sequins and shimmy across the most famous dance floor in the world!’

KYM MARSH AND GRAZIANO DI PRIMA 

Kym Marsh and Graziano Di Prima

Celebrity’s age: 46

Profession: Coronation Street star and presenter

Kym says: ‘I’m so delighted that this year they have! I’m a huge fan of the show and can’t believe I’m going to go from watching at home in my pyjamas to actually dancing in front of the judges in a glittery dress.’

MATT GOSS AND NADIYA BYCHKOVA 

Matt Goss and Nadiya Bychkova

Celebrity’s age: 53

Profession: Singer

Matt says: ‘I’ve been reclusive, I come and work and then go back to America. I thought, it’s time for me to come home and get out of my own way’

MOLLY RAINFORD AND CARLOS GU 

Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu

Age: 21

Profession: Singer 

Molly says: ‘I already know it’s gonna be an experience of a lifetime and I can’t wait to meet the rest of the Strictly family I’ll be sharing it with.’

WILL MELLOR AND NANCY XU 

Will Mellor and Nancy Xu

Celebrity’s age: 46

Profession: Actor

Will says: ‘I know it will be a huge challenge but that’s what life is all about. This is also my Mum’s favourite show and she’s had a really tough few years so I’m doing this is for her as well. Bring it on!’

TONY ADAMS AND KATYA JONES 

Tony Adams and Katya Jones

Celebrity’s age: 55

Profession: Retired footballer and manager

Tony says:  ‘To say I’m excited is an understatement – the lure of the sequins and the call of the salsa has me swapping my battered old football boots for a set of Strictly soft shoes’

KAYE ADAMS AND KAI WIDDRINGTON 

Kaye Adams and Kai Widdrington

Celebrity’s age: 59 

Profession: Television presenter 

Kaye says: ‘I said I wanted to make the last year of my fifties memorable and i can’t think of a better way of doing it than showing the world my two left feet. Pray for me!’