Strictly star and professional dancer Oti Mabuse will replace actor John Barrowman as the new judge on ITV's Dancing on Ice. 

The dancer says it is "more than an honour" to join the panel alongside fellow judges Ashly Banjo, Jayne Torvill, and Christopher Dean in January 2022. 

Mabuse won the BBC dancing show two years in a row with soap star Kelvin Fletcher and comedian Bill Bailey. 

The 31-year-old will be taking over Barrowman's role who was a judge since 2019 and appeared as a contestant back in 2006. 

Whitehaven News: Oti will join the judging panel. (ITV/PA)Oti will join the judging panel. (ITV/PA)

Speaking about her new role as a judge, Mabuse said: "As a professional dancer I have always had so much respect for the skating professionals on Dancing On Ice.

“It is an exceptional skill that is also so beautiful to watch. I’m feeling really enthusiastic about joining the panel alongside the legendary Torvill and Dean and Ashley Banjo."

Adding that she "can’t wait to see the celebrities thrive as they learn how to ice-skate and to champion the professional skaters as they create incredible choreography."

The news comes after Barrowman's departure was announced earlier in the year, for reasons which are said to be unrelated to accusations of exposing himself on the set of Doctor Who and Torchwood.

Phillp Schofield and Holly Willoughby are set to return to present as stars including, Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt, Happy Mondays dancer Bez, The Vamps’ Connor Ball and many more take the rink. 

Dancing On Ice airs on ITV and ITV Hub in January 2022.