LAST UPDATE | 1 Oct

RTÉ HAS NAMED Oti Mabuse as the new head judge in the upcoming season of Dancing with the Stars, while Laura Fox is set to replace Doireann Garrihy as co-host. 

Mabuse, a South African dancer and two-time winner of the UK’s Strictly Come Dancing, will join judges Brian Redmond, Arthur Gourounlian and Karen Byrne on the judges’ panel for the ninth installation of Dancing with the Stars. 

“Oti will bring her expert opinions and professional analysis and viewers can look forward to seeing her fierce fashion and individual style week after week,” RTÉ said in a statement announcing her arrival on the show. 

“Dance has been such a huge part of my life, and to now have the opportunity to celebrate the incredible talent and passion that Ireland has to offer is such a joy,” Mabuse said. 

“Irish audiences have always been so warm, supportive and fun-loving, so I already know we’re going to have the most amazing time together.”

Mabuse is known for being a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, which she won in 2019 and 2020. She has also won its German equivalent Let’s Dance. 

She has appeared on a number of dance shows and won multiple competitions, including taking the title in the South African Latin American Championship eight times.

Laura Fox will stand in for Doireann Garrihy this season and join Jennifer Zamparelli to present the series when it returns to screens on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player in January 2026.   

Fox, a 2FM radio presenter and former contestant on the show herself, said she was “beyond thrilled to be stepping into the ballroom as co-host”.

“I know exactly how nerve-wracking and magical it all is the glitter, the graft, the laughs and I honestly can’t wait to be part of it from this side of the stage,” she said.

“I’m absolutely buzzing to join Jen for the craic, and I’ll just be keeping the seat warm for Doireann while she takes a well-deserved break to welcome her new arrival.”