Bill Bailey has revealed that he still has a good relationship with his former Strictly Come Dancing partner Oti Mabuse.
The comedian, 58, who won the 2020 BBC competition with the South African professional dancer, 33,
Speaking on Loose Women on Wednesday, the star reflected on his time at Strictly and said the experience was very ‘strange’ as it took place during Covid.
During the time, Bill spent about 12 hours a day with Oti before returning home and repeating the process throughout the game as people had to stay in their specific bubbles.
The panel asked if he is still in touch with his former partner, Bill replied, ‘Oh yes!’
Sensation: Bill Bailey has revealed he still has a good relationship with his former Strictly Come Dancing partner Oti Mabuse
Champions: The comedian, 58, won the BBC competition with the South African professional dancer, 33, in 2020
He further confirmed that he has suggested some baby names for her to use as she is expecting her first child with husband Marius Lepure.
He joked, “Bill. for a boy, of course, and Bailey if it’s a girl.’
It comes after Oti candidly revealed she struggled with her fertility before revealing her pregnancy last month.
The dancer confirmed her surprise baby news live on ITV’s Oti Mabuse’s Breakfast Show with her partner.
Speaking to her Instagram fans, Oti revealed that she and Marius decided to stop trying for a while as they were giving up hope of having children.
She said, “We tried for a while and decided to stop (it all just got too much) and just live like the two of us, because nothing happened.”
She continued, “We enjoyed each other’s company, dinners, concerts, parties and just took all the pressure off and here we are!”
The couple surprised guests and viewers alike when they announced they are expecting their first child on air.
Amazing: Speaking on Loose Women on Wednesday, the star reflected on his time at Strictly and said the experience was very ‘strange’ as it took place during Covid
Partners: Bill spent about 12 hours a day with Oti before returning home and repeating the process throughout the game as people had to stay in their specific bubbles
Oti hugged her husband and began the final segment of her show as usual, before teasing that they’ve “got some good news.”
She said, “Speaking of things you didn’t know back home, we have something for all of you, we have good news. We’re having a child!’
The couple then shared a warm embrace as the crew cheered, while Marisha and Chizzy seemed completely shocked by the revelation.
After confirming the news live, Oti then took to Instagram to share a series of sweet snaps of herself rocking her baby bump while posing next to Marius.
She also hinted at her due date when she shared that their “beautiful journey” is “almost over” and teased that “Christmas is about to get even louder.”
She wrote, “Our ‘yes’ year just keeps getting better and so does our little family.
“We finally feel ready and excited to share our great news. This is new to us, scarier than swimming with sharks, jumping off cliffs or even swinging off bridges, but the best news we could have ever asked for.
“We love our little bundle of joy so much already… and can’t wait to see what our future holds as a family of three plus Leo. It has been a wonderful journey so far with close friends and family and almost over, but we have learned a lot along the way…. Christmas is about to get even louder.”
Friends: Bill said he is still in touch with Oti and further confirmed that he has suggested some baby names for her to use as she is expecting her first child with husband Marius Lepure
Oti and Marius met in Germany during a dance class and participated in several competitions together.
Marius popped the question on his birthday to the Dancing On Ice judge in 2014 and the couple got married the same year.
In 2017, Oti gave insight into their proposal, hilariously recounting how she told him he was “annoying” her by acting nervous before popping the big question.