Oti Mabuse, the beloved dancer and television personality,
recently shared the details of her husband Marius Lepure’s proposal—a moment that was as heartwarming as it was slightly unconventional.
Appearing on The Jonathan Ross Show, the Dancing on Ice judge, 34, reminisced about the 2014 evening when Marius, 41, popped the question.
However, the proposal didn’t unfold quite as romantically as one might expect, as Marius made one interesting misstep along the way.
A Proposal with a Twist
During the interview, Oti recalled that her now-husband was visibly nervous on the day he planned to propose.
To ease his anxiety, he chose an unusual pre-proposal activity—a trip to watch Planet of the Apes. While it wasn’t exactly a traditional romantic movie choice, it was part of his attempt to gather the courage for the big moment.
Following the film, the couple went to Hard Rock Café for dinner, an experience Oti described as “not my vibe” due to the loud metal music playing in the background. Despite the less-than-ideal ambiance, the evening continued, leading up to the significant moment.
Marius finally seized his opportunity when they returned to their hotel. As Oti was getting ready for bed, he stopped her and, before the day ended, asked, “Will you marry me?” and presented her with a ring. Reflecting on the proposal, Oti laughed and said, “Minus the monkeys, it was very nice!”
Parenthood and Health Challenges
The couple, who have been together for over a decade, welcomed their first child in November 2023. However, their journey into parenthood was not without challenges. Their daughter was born prematurely and had an infection, leading to a six-week stay in intensive care.
Oti also faced health complications during her pregnancy. She was pre-diabetic and later diagnosed with gestational diabetes at 28 weeks. After giving birth naturally, she experienced further health issues when she developed sepsis. Despite these difficulties, she has embraced motherhood wholeheartedly and often shares updates about her daughter.
Life as a New Mom
During her chat with Jonathan Ross, Oti spoke about the joys and challenges of being a mother. She shared that her daughter, now a year old, has a strong personality and loves to dance—sometimes waking up in the middle of the night just to move around.
When asked whether she’d like her daughter to follow in her dancing footsteps, Oti admitted that, while she would support any path her child chooses, she secretly hopes for something different. “I’m hoping she’ll be like an astronaut,” she joked, expressing her desire for her daughter to explore a variety of opportunities.
Her Role on Dancing on Ice
Beyond her personal life, Oti continues to shine as a judge on Dancing on Ice. She spoke about the challenge of critiquing contestants while maintaining a positive approach. “I try to be positive, but then the red light comes on, and it just comes out of my mouth,” she admitted, explaining that her goal is to provide honest and constructive feedback.
Working alongside legends Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean, and Ashley Banjo has been an incredible experience for Oti. She praised her fellow judges, saying that their guidance has been invaluable.
Jonathan Ross also quizzed her on who she thinks could win the current series. While she didn’t reveal a definitive favorite, she spoke highly of several contestants, including Michaela Strachan and Anton Ferdinand, highlighting their strengths on the ice.
Reflecting on Strictly Come Dancing and Future Plans
Oti, who rose to fame as a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, was also asked whether she misses being a part of the show. While she acknowledged that Strictly played a huge role in her life, she now enjoys watching it as a fan, occasionally choreographing routines for the show.
Looking ahead, Oti is excited about her upcoming dance tour, Viva Carnival. The show will celebrate various carnival traditions from around the world, including those in Brazil, Argentina, Africa, and even Glastonbury. She shared that her love of travel and culture inspired the project, and she can’t wait to bring the vibrant energy of these celebrations to the stage.
A Love Story with a Happy Ending
Despite Marius’ somewhat unconventional approach to proposing, his love and dedication to Oti have never wavered. The couple’s journey—from an unusual engagement night to overcoming health challenges and becoming parents—has been filled with love, laughter, and resilience.
Now, as they navigate life with their young daughter, Oti and Marius continue to embrace every moment together, proving that, even with a few unexpected detours, love always finds its way.
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