Oti Mabuse makes candid baby admission after welcoming daughter with husband Marius Iepure

Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse has opened up about motherhood and admitted she wishes she had her daughter earlier in life as she fears her TV career has taken over

Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse has candidly shared her experiences of motherhood during her first year, expressing regret for not starting her family earlier.

In a heartfelt conversation on Paul C. Brunson's podcast, 'We Need To Talk', alongside her husband Marius Iepure, the 34 year old dancer delved into various facets of her life, including her relationship and the joys of welcoming their daughter last Christmas.

Reflecting on her career choices, Oti revealed: "I would have split my focus between things that really matter and things that are just a job. I would have had my daughter earlier, because now I'm like, I'm not old, I'm just 34, but I'm like I wish I had more time, I wish I had done this earlier."

Marius, while initially suggesting it was 'the perfect time' for them to have their child, also conceded he harboured feelings of wishing they had started their family sooner.

Oti further advised on the importance of self-investment, especially in the volatile world of television: "Because I work in television, and it is so easy for that whole career to be swept under your feet, everything can go. But, the best thing right now I think for a lot of people to do, is invest in yourself. Instead of buying that bag, buy a book and read Diary of a CEO, instead of going out and partying, take that little bit of money and invest it towards the mortgage and take the time to listen."

Oti and her husband Marius welcomed their baby daughter into the world on Christmas Day last year, six weeks ahead of her due date.

Complications arose when Oti was diagnosed with sepsis before her daughter's birth, leading to the newborn spending six weeks in hospital after contracting an infection.

Oti has made a name for herself as one of the most successful professional dancers on Strictly, being only the second person in the show's history to secure back-to-back wins in 2019 and 2020, dancing with Kelvin Fletcher and Bill Bailey. After departing from the BBC show in 2022, Oti joined Dancing on Ice as a judge in the same year.