Oti Mabuse has revealed that she 'saved' her co-star Reverend Richard Coles from an unexpected marriage proposal while filming their new travel series in South Africa. The former Strictly Come Dancing professional and the 64-year-old vicar are reuniting for a four-part show titled Oti and Richard's South African Odyssey, airing on More4 from 21 July at 9:00 PM.
How Oti prevented a marital mishap
Speaking to Radio Times, Coles described one of the 'worst' moments of the trip: being forced to perform a Zulu tribal dance on the Dolphin Coast. 'I looked like everything bad about dad dancing happening in one person in one place at one time,' he said. However, Mabuse quickly countered his account, explaining that local women warned them: 'If you don't dance, you'll end up married, because while the women go there to dance, the men only really go there to get a wife.' By getting Coles to participate, she effectively saved him from a potential forced marriage.
From ballroom to bush: the duo's journey
The pair first bonded as contestants on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in 2024, where they became fan favourites. Mabuse, who left Strictly in 2022, has since joined the Loose Women panel. Their new series promises 'a musical, messy, very human road trip bursting with dance, laughter, colour and deep friendship' as they travel across Mabuse's home country, South Africa.
Fan reaction
Fans have expressed overwhelming support for the show. One wrote: 'Huge fan of Oti and Richard!' Another commented on Instagram: 'Look forward to seeing your adventures.' A third added: 'Can't wait for this new series,' while a fourth exclaimed: 'Oh my!!!! I cannot wait for this!!!!'
Oti and Richard's South African Odyssey airs on More4 at 9:00 PM on Tuesday, 21 July.
