Oti Mabuse’s husband Marius Iepure has opened up on how proud he is of his wife’s jungle stint – adding how their one-year-old daughter “can’t wait” to see her again.
Former Strictly star Oti has previously said how it was a tough decision to leave their little girl at home as she returns to our screens.
But Marius said he had been coping well with daddy duties whilst Oti resides in the jungle.
Asked if he was looking forward to seeing Oti, he said: “Oh my god you can’t imagine. And this one (points to baby) can’t wait.”
Speaking about caring for their child, whose name has not been revealed, he said: “It’s been so nice, I love it. We didn’t get out of the plane as she was too sleepy. She is the best baby ever.”
Asked if she could win, he said: “That’s a very difficult question.”
But he said that Oti had been talking for a long time about taking part on the show.
He said: “We were discussing this for a few years and she always said she would love to do it.”
Marius, who arrived with Oti’s mum Dudu, said he was fine looking after their baby solo. He added: “I teach kids and we have a dance studio and I have the best help here (points to Oti’s mum).”
When asked if he thinks Oti has had enough airtime so far on the show, he added: “I think she has enough. I think it’s all about the whole group and the challenges. I think it’s fine.”
The former Strictly Come Dancing winning pro and Dancing On Ice judge gave birth at the end of last year.
But the baby was born prematurely with an infection and spent six weeks in intensive care after Oti developed sepsis during pregnancy.
After the birth, the baby wouldn’t eat at times.
But Oti, 34, said: “Now I have had my baby daughter, I want to get back to the adventurous and fun Oti. I feel ready for a change and doing something completely different. I will have no make-up, concealer, lashes – it’s going to be nice to be laid back.”
She said that she was looking forward to catching up on her sleep.
“As a new mum, I am going to use it to my advantage, I am going to catch up on a whole year’s sleep,” she added.
“Of course not seeing my daughter is going to be hard. She is going to be one of my biggest motivators. My husband is really excited I am doing the programme. He loves the show too.
“This is one of the shows where it is really nice to be determined, ambitious and competitive when it comes to doing a challenge. It will be about getting the stars.”
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