Strictly winners Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse reunite in TV interview

Strictly Come Dancing champions Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse have reunited for the first time since winning the show last month.

The comedian, 55, and professional partner, 30, appeared together on Friday’s edition of Steph’s Packed Lunch on Channel 4, where they reflected on their time on the show.

Bill admitted his win ‘still hasn’t sunk in yet’ as he jokingly said of the Glitterball trophy: ‘I thought it would be a bit bigger… I’m not complaining, I just thought maybe we could keep it [the bigger one].’

They’re back! Strictly champions Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse reunited for the first time since winning the glitterball trophy as they discussed their time on the show on Friday

Bill beat Maisie Smith, HRVY and Jamie Laing to the glitterball with Oti, who made history after becoming the first pro to win the accolade twice in a row 

Reflecting on his stint, Bill added: ‘I think people thought I would be a novelty item for a few weeks, a bit of a comedy dancer, maybe a bit of a dad dancer, he’ll be fun for a couple of weeks and then people will think they’ve had enough of this. 

‘Week 4 was the turning point really when people thought I could actually dance, it was a bit of a surprise to me. My whole family have been blown away. I think everyone has been a bit taken aback by it.’ 

Oti went on to gush about the show’s influence, and how important it is for viewers: ‘This isn’t just for us, this is for everyone at home, people need a message of hope, Strictly has been able to do that for everyone, you get to escape.’

High praise: Oti said of the show's important: 'People need a message of hope, Strictly has been able to do that for everyone, you get to escape'

High praise: Oti said of the show’s important: ‘People need a message of hope, Strictly has been able to do that for everyone, you get to escape’

Amusing: Bill also admitted his and Oti's win 'still hasn't sunk in yet' as he jokingly said of the Glitterball trophy: 'I thought it would be a bit bigger'

Amusing: Bill also admitted his and Oti’s win ‘still hasn’t sunk in yet’ as he jokingly said of the Glitterball trophy: ‘I thought it would be a bit bigger’ 

While the show does bring people joy, show host Helen Skelton, who is standing in for Steph McGovern, asked Oti about the abuse she receives on social media as the dancer claimed she simply ignores it.

She said: ‘I always get abuse, but there are two buttons, the block and the mute, I block and I mute and it’s bye Felicia, you can talk to yourself all you want, you’re blocked.’

Last month, Oti’s sister quit social media after trolls accused her of being ‘drunk’ on TV, after she dropped her paddle when scoring Maisie Smith’s dance.

Doing well: Bill reflected on his performance, 'It was a bit of a surprise to me. My whole family have been blown away. I think everyone has been a bit taken aback by it'

Doing well: Bill reflected on his performance, ‘It was a bit of a surprise to me. My whole family have been blown away. I think everyone has been a bit taken aback by it’

When asked about abuse she receives from trolls online, Oti claimed she simply ignores it as she said: 'I block and I mute and it’s bye Felicia, you can talk to yourself all you want'

When asked about abuse she receives from trolls online, Oti claimed she simply ignores it as she said: ‘I block and I mute and it’s bye Felicia, you can talk to yourself all you want’

In her final tweet, she wrote: ‘I’ve decided to leave Twitter!! It’s been fun but I truly think with Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.. it’s enough social media. Please keep up my #strictlykindess hashtag!! You know where to find me.’

Oti reflected on her sister’s decision, saying: ‘For her [Motsi] to come into this family to be on Strictly, you are put on a pedestal.

‘It shocked me because it’s so easy sometimes to attack women, that’s just a thing. It’s really easy for people to attack women.’ 

Departure: Last month, Oti's sister quit social media after trolls accused her of being 'drunk' on TV, after she dropped her paddle when scoring Maisie Smith's dance

Departure: Last month, Oti’s sister quit social media after trolls accused her of being ‘drunk’ on TV, after she dropped her paddle when scoring Maisie Smith’s dance 

Candid: Oti reflected on her sister's decision, saying: 'It shocked me because it’s so easy sometimes to attack women, that’s just a thing. It’s really easy for people to attack women'

Candid: Oti reflected on her sister’s decision, saying: ‘It shocked me because it’s so easy sometimes to attack women, that’s just a thing. It’s really easy for people to attack women’

After the interview, Oti went on to share a picture alongside Bill as they sat socially distanced from one another, and she gushed: ‘Back with this king.’ 

The victory turned Oti into Strictly’s first ever back-to-back champion after she first won the show in 2019 with Kelvin Fletcher. 

She praised her celebrity partner for being ‘a friend, father figure and brother,’ after they beat HRVY, Maisie and Jamie in the final. 

Oti fought back tears as she said: ‘I think you are amazing, remarkable Bill Bailey, you just put your heart into everything. 

Fiery: During the live final Bill and Oti delivered a fierce Showdance complete with pyrotechnics, lifts, and plenty of drama, to Queen's The Show Must Go On

Fiery: During the live final Bill and Oti delivered a fierce Showdance complete with pyrotechnics, lifts, and plenty of drama, to Queen’s The Show Must Go On

‘You’re in your world, but I love your world and I always want to be a part of you, thank you for being a friend, thank you for being a father figure and a brother and for this!’ as she gestured to the sparkling trophy.

In the show Bill and Oti delivered a fierce Showdance complete with pyrotechnics, lifts, and plenty of drama, to Queen’s The Show Must Go On with even Craig gushing it ‘reeked of desperation and he loved it.’

The duo received their first ever 30 for the performance, and the first perfect score of the evening, with Bill fighting back tears as he vowed the dance was a symbol of the nation carrying on during such unprecedented times.

They also performed a energetic Quickstep to Talk To The Animals by Bobby Darin and their Couple’s Choice hip-hop routine to Rapper’s Delight by The Sugar Hill Gang. 

Success: Bill and Oti also performed a energetic Quickstep to Talk To The Animals by Bobby Darin and their Couple's Choice hip-hop routine to Rapper's Delight by The Sugar Hill Gang

Success: Bill and Oti also performed a energetic Quickstep to Talk To The Animals by Bobby Darin and their Couple’s Choice hip-hop routine to Rapper’s Delight by The Sugar Hill Gang