Oti Mabuse's husband Marius Iepure has said how proud he is of his wife’s jungle stint in I'm A Celebrity - adding how their one-year-old daughter “can’t wait” to see her again.
Former Strictly star Oti has previously said how it was a tough decision to leave their child at home as she returns to our screens. But Marius said he had been coping well with baby duties while their mum was in the jungle.
Asked if he was looking forward to seeing Oti, he said: "Oh my god you can't imagine. And this one (points to baby) can't wait."
Of caring for their child, whose name has not been revealed, he said: "It's been so nice, I love it. We didn't get out of the plane as she was too sleepy. She is the best baby ever." Asked if she could win, he said: "That's a very difficult question."
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Tim Merry/Staff Photographer)Image:
Tim Merry/Staff Photographer)Almost half way through the stars' epic adventure and the time has come for their relatives to jet in for the iconic bridge meet if they are voted out. Former Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse's family have now landed Down Under ready to give her her hero's welcome, including her husband, Romanian dancer Marius Lepure whom she wed in 2014, and their daughter. Her mum Dudu beamed as she strolled through the airport pushing her granddaughter's pram.
Marius said Oti had been talking for a long time about taking part on the show. He said: "We were discussing this for a few years and she always said she would love to do it."
Marius, who arrived with Oti’s mum Dudu, said he was fine looking after their baby solo. He added: "I teach kids and we have a dance studio and I have the best help here (points to Oti's mum)."
Asked if she has had enough airtime so far on the show, he added: "I think she has enough. I think it's all about the whole group and the challenges. I think it's fine."
The former Strictly Come Dancing winning pro and Dancing On Ice judge gave birth at the end of last year. But the baby was born prematurely with an infection and spent six weeks in intensive care after Oti developed sepsis during pregnancy. After the birth, the baby wouldn't eat at times.
But Oti, 34, said: “Now I have had my baby daughter, I want to get back to the adventurous and fun Oti. I feel ready for a change and doing something completely different. I will have no make-up, concealer, lashes – it’s going to be nice to be laid back.”
She said that she was looking forward to catching up on her sleep. “As a new mum, I am going to use it to my advantage, I am going to catch up on a whole year’s sleep,” she added. “Of course not seeing my daughter is going to be hard. She is going to be one of my biggest motivators. My husband is really excited I am doing the programme. He loves the show too.
"This is one of the shows where it is really nice to be determined, ambitious and competitive when it comes to doing a challenge. It will be about getting the stars.”
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Tim Merry/Staff Photographer)Oti moved viewers to tears in the show after telling her campmates of her half-brother Neo's death by suicide aged just 16. The tragedy happened while she was growing up in the South African township of Mabopane, near the capital Pretoria.
His death not only left the family distraught, but it also meant the whole family was shunned by superstitious locals who thought it would bring bad luck to anyone associating with the family. Her candid reveal came as the camp members spoke about worry. It prompted Oti to open up and she said: “I think it’s really good that you keep saying people must talk, especially young boys. I don’t think young boys tend to talk that much and the suicide rate is so high in young men especially, so I think it’s important that you keep telling people to talk about it.”
Oti, whose sister is Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse, continued: “I had a brother who committed suicide when he was 16 and I think if he had spoken to someone about what he was feeling, it would’ve been a different turnout. Especially in our culture, we don’t really open up.” Speaking of grief amongst her family she explained: “Every year we celebrate his birthday, but it’s the people that are still left with the aftermath that feel it every single day and you have to go out in the world and be strong and happy and bubbly and positive, but it’s tough.
Fans had feared Oti may be one of the first to exit camp this series as she's yet to do a Bushtucker Trial. Among those airing their concern was Rebekah Vardy, who said she is desperate for the Dancing On Ice judge, 34, to get a crack and show what she can do. Rebekah told the Sun: "I'm really missing Oti and would like to see her get a lot more time on screen. She needs to get a trial under her belt - and soon."
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