Strictly’s Oti Mabuse celebrates her 30th birthday with a surprise video call from her family

Strictly’s Oti Mabuse celebrates her 30th birthday as sister Motsi surprises her with an emotional video call from her family in South Africa

Strictly Come Dancing pro Oti Mabuse celebrated her 30th birthday on Saturday with a surprise family reunion.

The dancer took to Instagram to reveal her sister Motsi had organised a Zoom call with her entire family in South Africa, after waking up to her house covered with balloons and decorations.

Oti, who will be returning to the Strictly dancefloor this autumn, gushed that she woke up on her birthday with ‘the biggest smile on her face,’ as she prepared to mark the occasion with her loved ones.

Happy Birthday! Strictly Come Dancing pro Oti Mabuse celebrated her 30th birthday on Saturday with a surprise family reunion

In her Instagram post Oti, who is married to dancer Marius Lepure, shared a glimpse of the decorations laid out in her house for her birthday, including 30 balloons and plenty of presents.

The Greatest Dancer coach was clearly thrilled with the surprise decor, and went onto share a video of the emotional moment she was surprised with a Zoom call by her family.

Oti penned the caption: ‘It’s the big day!!! The big 30 woke up this morning with the biggest smile, feeling happy and so grateful for everything and everyone in my life truly happy from my soul and excited for this chapter in my life! 

Thrilled: The dancer took to Instagram to reveal her sister Motsi had organised a Zoom call with her entire family in South Africa

Thrilled: The dancer took to Instagram to reveal her sister Motsi had organised a Zoom call with her entire family in South Africa

‘Then topped up by a surprise zoom call with all my family and friends made so happy and emotional, planned by @motsimabuse even if my mom @dudu_mabuse took over the call  but i appreciate it and you all so much!!!!

‘#thirtythirty I wish you all a splendid day.’

Oti also flooded her Instagram Stories will messages from her Strictly co-stars, including pros Giovanni Pernice, Dianne Buswell and Janette Manrara.

Sweet: Oti was moved to tears as she chatted from her friends and family from miles away, and gushed she woke up with 'the biggest smile on her face'

Sweet: Oti was moved to tears as she chatted from her friends and family from miles away, and gushed she woke up with ‘the biggest smile on her face’

Her sister Motsi also took to social media to share a sweet tribute along with a throwback snap from their childhood.

She wrote: ‘There she is Our Lion !!! She roars so loud that you can hear it beyond, she shines so bright that it might blind you , but is it not what you wanted from Mandela’s children ?? 

‘For them to rise and so they will rise !!! Happy birthday Lion!! Keep that fire burning , keep chasing your dreams !keep growing ! 

‘You know where you can come to refuel & ignite that fire because for us you will always be our Last Born ❤️!!! We will always be there for you

‘Happy Birthday Otlile Mabuse !!! P.s don’t ask what happened to the cake.’

The reigning champion will be appearing in the upcoming series of Strictly, which will face some huge changes due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Cute: Oti was clearly thrilled by the birthday surprises as she documented her day of celebrations on Instagram

Cute: Oti was clearly thrilled by the birthday surprises as she documented her day of celebrations on Instagram

Last week it was reported that BBC bosses have scrapped plans for celebrities and professional dancers to isolate together.

In a last minute change of plan, the couples will instead be in a ‘bubble’ system and there will be regular testing ahead of the live shows, The Sun reports.

However, the dancers are still said to be isolating together this month so that they can pre-record group routines. 

A TV source told the publication: ‘The idea of holing sexy dancers up with celebrities made it impossible to sign anybody up.’

Proud sister: Motsi also took to social media to share a sweet tribute along with a throwback snap from their childhood

Proud sister: Motsi also took to social media to share a sweet tribute along with a throwback snap from their childhood

It comes after Strictly Come Dancing bosses denied celebrities such as Michelle Keegan and Jessie J declined to be on the show this year because of the ‘low’ £60,000 appearance fee. 

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline on Wednesday, a Strictly source has contested reports that several celebrities had turned them down and said only those who have signed onto the show were offered a fee.

The source explained: ‘Everyone we have offered a fee to this year have been confirmed as part of the line up, so nobody has declined appearing in the show after we’ve begun negotiations.’ 

She'll be back! The reigning champion will be appearing in the upcoming series of Strictly, which will face some huge changes due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic

She’ll be back! The reigning champion will be appearing in the upcoming series of Strictly, which will face some huge changes due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic