Strictly’s Oti Mabuse reveals she and her husband ‘surprise each other with dates’ in lockdown

She’s been married to the Romanian dancer since 2014. 

And Oti Mabuse has detailed how she and her husband Marius Iepure keep the spark alive during the UK’s coronavirus lockdown period.

During a chat with her co-star Janette Manrara for her Instagram Live series #TalksWithJanette on Tuesday, the Strictly professional, 29, revealed the couple surprise each other with romantic dates at home as they enjoy a break from work duties during the global crisis.

With two BBC dance shows under her belt, the media personality’s schedule often sees her spend time away from her household.

But as the pandemic has forced the suspension of the entertainment industry’s production, Oti has found herself enjoying a more relaxed routine with Marius, 37.

‘I love being home with him all the time’, the ballroom expert gushed to her close pal Janette, 36.

The South African bombshell revealed she has devised a game for the pair to keep things romantic.

Judge Motsi Mabuse’s younger sister explained: ‘Never have we spent so much time together. I said to Marius, ‘Let’s do this thing where we surprise each other with dates’ — just a lovely date in the day. 

‘You never know when it’s going to come and the winner gets something at the end of the week. It can be breakfast, lunch, brunch or supper.

‘It’s always romantic and it’s always beautiful. But I’m losing at my own game. It’s three-nil to Marius!

‘I’ve had fruit for breakfast in bed, he’s made dinner and he’s outside now making a cinema so we can have a picnic and watch a movie outside. How am I losing at my own game?!’

As Miami-born dancer Janette, 36, who is married to fellow pro Aljaž Škorjanec, advised Oti needs to ‘step it up’ by wearing a sexy outfit, Oti reasoned: ‘I know where to start.

‘But I don’t want to start there, I want to finish there! I need to get creative’, she added.

Earlier this month, the Strictly 2019 winner insisted producers are ‘doing everything possible’ to make sure the show returns.

Last week, BBC boss Charlotte Moore revealed TV executives are considering putting forward drastic measures in an attempt to save the series amid the coronavirus crisis. 

Charlotte told The Times: ‘We’re looking at how that would work. Could you quarantine people? Can we test everyone before filming? There’s a lot of work being done. It’s a big task.’

She also said fans could see the show go on-air without a live audience, with the BBC also looking into testing participants’ temperatures and installing glass divides inside the studio ‘so that people feel even more protected’.