When you think of Oti Mabuse, you likely picture her in a whirlwind of sequins and samba, dazzling the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom with her signature megawatt smile and infectious energy. But this year, as the daffodils blossomed and the world spun on, Oti made a decision that would change her life forever—a decision not for the cameras, not for the applause, but for the tiny, precious person who has redefined her every heartbeat.

Oti Mabuse, the South African dynamo who has danced her way into the hearts of millions, quietly packed up her London life and slipped away to the sleepy, storybook villages of Berkshire. Gone are the city lights and the endless hum of London traffic; in their place, the gentle hush of the countryside, winding lanes, and a home so old it feels as if it’s been waiting centuries just for her family. It’s a move that speaks volumes—not just about Oti’s love for her husband, the equally talented Marius Lepure, but about the fierce, protective devotion she now pours into her baby daughter.

The world first met Oti as a force of nature on the dance floor, but today, she is a force of nature in a different way: as a mother. Her journey to motherhood was not the fairy tale many imagine. When Oti and Marius welcomed their little girl in November 2023, the moment was wrapped in both joy and fear. Their daughter arrived two months early after a grueling 16-hour labour—a marathon of pain and hope that would test even the strongest spirit. Oti later spoke about those hours with a raw honesty that left fans both moved and in awe. She’s never shied away from sharing the hard truths, especially about the “toxic relationship” that so many dancers, herself included, have with their bodies. “No, you are good. You are perfect. You have had a baby,” she reminds herself, fighting back against the relentless inner critic that so often shadows women in the public eye.

Now, with her daughter toddling through the sun-dappled rooms of their new home, Oti’s priorities have shifted. In the spring of 2025, she and Marius made the decision to leave London behind, trading the city’s relentless pace for the emerald calm of Berkshire. The reason was simple and profound: their daughter. “Better schools, better environment, better hospitals,” Oti told House Beautiful magazine in May, her words ringing with the clarity of a mother who knows exactly what she wants for her child. It wasn’t about luxury or status—it was about giving her baby girl the best possible start in life.

Their new home, a detached 18th-century house “out in the sticks” near Reading, is both charming and challenging. “It’s cute. And old. Really old,” Oti laughs. There’s a sense that she delights in the quirks of her new life—the creaky floorboards, the endless cleaning, the feeling of sanctuary that wraps around her like a soft blanket at the end of a long day. “It’s my sanctuary. I love coming home – it’s where I’m most relaxed, most myself and where I make the most memories. It’s also where I’m frustrated because every day there’s something to clean!” she admits, her trademark humour shining through.

But it’s not just the house that’s different. Life in Berkshire has given Oti a new perspective, a chance to slow down and savour the moments that matter most. She’s fiercely protective of her family time, and you can see the pride in her eyes every time she talks about Marius. On daytime talk shows, she never misses an opportunity to celebrate her husband, the man who has stood by her through every triumph and every storm. Their love story is the kind that makes you believe in soulmates—a partnership built on trust, laughter, and a shared passion for dance.

Yet, for all the romance, life isn’t always a waltz. Oti’s flower allergy, for example, is the sort of detail that would be played for laughs in a sitcom, but in real life, it’s just one more thing to navigate. She’s spoken about it before, often with a shrug and a smile, but the story of her husband intercepting a bouquet from her Strictly partner Graeme Swann is pure gold. “He came with a big bouquet of flowers and said: ‘Oti, I am so excited for our journey.’ Out of nowhere my husband came in, took the whole bouquet out and said: ‘She’s allergic to flowers.’” Oti later told Loose Women she found it “sexy”—the kind of possessive, protective gesture that makes her feel seen and cherished. “It’s sexy, when you are standing there and your man is threatening your dance partner. I love it, I’m like, that’s my man.”

Because of her allergy, candles have become the default gift, and now they’re “literally all over the house.” It’s a small detail, but it speaks to the new rhythm of her life—a life that is warm, fragrant, and filled with the soft glow of love and family.

Oti’s move to Berkshire isn’t just a change of address; it’s a declaration of intent. She is building a new world for her daughter, one where childhood means green fields and fresh air, not car horns and crowded playgrounds. Where the future is measured not by the next gig or glittering trophy, but by the sound of her child’s laughter echoing through ancient halls.

But don’t mistake Oti’s rural retreat for a retreat from ambition. If anything, motherhood has made her more determined than ever. She’s spoken candidly about the pressures dancers face—the constant scrutiny, the impossible standards, the way self-worth can get tangled up in the shape of your body or the height of your heel. Now, she wants to be a different kind of role model, not just for her daughter, but for every young woman who’s ever doubted her own worth. “No, you are good. You are perfect. You have had a baby.” It’s a mantra, a battle cry, a promise.

At the heart of it all is love—messy, complicated, all-consuming love. Love for her husband, who makes her laugh even on the darkest days. Love for her daughter, who has taught her more about strength and vulnerability than any judge’s critique ever could. And love for herself, hard-won and fiercely guarded.

The move to Berkshire is about more than schools and hospitals. It’s about creating a space where Oti can breathe, where she can dance in the kitchen with her baby on her hip, where she can watch the seasons change and know that she is exactly where she’s meant to be. It’s about honouring the journey—the pain and the joy, the glitter and the grit.

For fans who have watched Oti twirl and triumph on Saturday nights, her new life may seem quieter, less glamorous. But listen closely and you’ll hear a different kind of music—the gentle lullaby of a mother’s devotion, the steady heartbeat of a family finding its way. It’s a dance as old as time, and Oti is leading with grace, courage, and a smile that says she wouldn’t trade this for all the glitter in the world.

So next time you see Oti Mabuse light up your screen, remember: behind the sequins and the sparkle is a woman who has made the bravest choice of all. She has chosen family. She has chosen love. She has chosen a future where her daughter can grow, thrive, and know, every day, that she is cherished beyond measure. And in doing so, Oti Mabuse reminds us all that sometimes, the most important steps we take are the ones that lead us home.