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‘Strictly Come Dancing’: Danny Mac’s Partner Oti Mabuse Breaks Down As She Issues Apology For Semi Final Dance Off

'I wish I’d done more... So I’m sorry that I got you in that situation.'
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By 

Entertainment Editor, HuffPost UK

‘Strictly Come Dancing’ professional Oti Mabuse broke down in tears at a press conference for the show, as she apologised to partner Danny Mac for landing him in the dance off.

The pro dancer became emotional she she spoke about last weekend’s dramatic semi final, which saw her and the former ‘Hollyoaks’ actor placed in the bottom two alongside Claudia Fragapane and AJ Pritchard.

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Danny Mac and Oti Mabuse on 'Strictly Come Dancing'
BBC

While they were lucky enough to make it through to tonight’s (17 December) finale, Oti claimed she wished she’d done more to stop them landing in that position.

Speaking to the press including The Huffington Post UK at a special event earlier this week, Oti said: “Because it’s your creation and it’s your job to make them look good, you take it on.

“We were in the dance off before the final and I remember apologising to him saying: ‘I’m so sorry I didn’t do a good enough job to get you to that final.’”

Turning to Danny, she continued: “I wish I’d done more... So I’m sorry that I got you in that situation.”

As she tried to hold back her emotions, she wailed: “And I’m the strong one!”

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Danny and Oti landed in the dance off in the semi final
BBC

Speaking of making it through to the final, Danny added: “The final is what you dream of at the start of the competition, but you only ever take it one step at a time. It’s such a great experience, and it is the best thing I have ever done.

“To be in the final now feels like you’ve gone the whole way and it’s brilliant. I’ve had the best time.”

Things will get even more emotional for the pair when they perform a show dance to ‘Set Fire To The Rain’ by Adele on Saturday night, as they battle against other celebrities Ore Oduba and Louise Redknapp to become ‘Strictly’ champions.

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Danny is taking on Ore Oduba and Louise Redknapp in the final
BBC

Teasing viewers with what to expect, Oti said: “We’ve tried to make it about the journey a lot of people haven’t got to see… People didn’t get to see how [Danny] came in going, ‘I can’t do this, I can’t do this’.

“[The dance] is really me saying, Danny this is all about you and how you accepted who you are and began to see the worth in you through this dance.

“We’re just hoping people get it and understand it and love he has grown throughout this competition and how ‘Strictly’ has made [him] a better person,” she added.

The ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ final airs tonight at 6.40pm on BBC One.

'Strictly Come Dancing': All The Winners
Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole(01 of16)
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Newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky was the first star to ever triumph in the inaugural series of 'Strictly Come Dancing', back in 2004, when there were just seven competitors to beat.Having obviously been a hit with 'Strictly' viewers, she was later chosen to cover for regular presenter Tess Daly, when she went on maternity leave. (credit:BBC)
Jill Halfpenny and Darren Bennet(02 of16)
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Clearly sensing they were onto a winner, the BBC decided to kick-start the second series of 'Strictly' just three months after Natasha Kaplinsky's victory, securing its spot in the Saturday night schedule in the latter half of the year.Jill Halfpenny was crowned winner second time around, along with her partner, Darren Bennet. (credit:PA/PA Archive)
Darren Gough and Lilia Kopylova(03 of16)
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Darren became the first male celebrity to triumph in the 'Strictly Come Dancing' final in 2005, beating Colin Jackson and eventual 'It Takes Two' presenter Zoe Ball in the process. (credit:Michael Boyd/PA Archive)
Mark Ramprakash and Karen Hardy(04 of16)
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Cricket player Mark Ramprakash took home the glitter-ball trophy a year later.Here he is performing with his professional partner, Karen Hardy, at the BBC Sports Personality Of The Year Awards a year after his victory. (credit:David Davies/PA Archive)
Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler(05 of16)
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'Strictly' helped breathe new life into Alesha's career, when she and partner Matthew Cutler were crowned winners.Her smash hit solo single 'The Boy Does Nothing' followed soon after, not to mention a spot on the 'Strictly' judging panel... until Simon Cowell decided to snare her for 'BGT', that is. (credit:BBC)
Tom Chambers and Camilla Dallerup(06 of16)
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'Holby City' actor Tom Chambers' public profile skyrocketed, when he and his professional partner, Camilla Dallerup, were crowned winners of the sixth series.They beat TV presenter Lisa Snowdon and 'Negotiate With Love' singer Rachel Stevens in the live final, back in 2008. (credit:Mark Cuthbert via Getty Images)
Chris Hollins and Ola Jordan(07 of16)
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Chris Hollins gave professional dancer Ola Jordan her first, and so far only, win back in 2010. (credit:BBC)
Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev(08 of16)
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Kara and Artem had a double victory in 2010.Shortly after taking home the glitter-ball trophy, they announced that they were dating. (credit:Rowan Miles/PA Archive)
Harry Judd and Aliona Vilani(09 of16)
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Can we please just take a moment to appreciate this photo? (credit:David Jones/PA Archive)
Louis Smith and Flavia Cacace(10 of16)
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The tenth series was won by Olympian Louis Smith and his professional partner, Flavia Cacace. (credit:Georgie Gillard/Associated Newspapers/REX)
Abbey Clancy and Aljaž Skorjanec(11 of16)
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In the first ever all-female 'Strictly' final, Abbey beat Susanna Reid and Natalie Gumede to the glitter-ball trophy.Fourth place was also a female contestant, with Sophie Ellis-Bextor leaving the competition at the semi-final stage. (credit:Rui Vieira/PA Archive)
Caroline Flack and Pasha Kovalev(12 of16)
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Caroline Flack, who took part in the competition less than a year after leaving 'X Factor' spin-off show, 'Xtra Factor'. Apparently sensing her popularity was on the rise, Simon Cowell quickly signed her up to host the main show, alongside Olly Murs. (credit:BBC)
Jay McGuiness and Aliona Vilani(13 of16)
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When the 2015 contestants were first announced, no one would have tipped Jay for victory, particularly after he continuously played down his dancing abilities.

Cut to a couple of months later, though, and that Glitter-ball trophy was his. (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton(14 of16)
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TV presenter Ore Oduba beat off stiff competition from 'Hollyoaks' star Danny Mac who was hot favourite to lift the glitterball trophy in 2016. (credit:PA Archive/PA Images)
Joe McFadden and Katya Jones(15 of16)
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'Holby City' actor Joe was the dark horse of the competition, rising through the ranks as the weeks went on to triumph over Alexandra Burke, Debbie McGee and Gemma Atkinson in the 2017 final. (credit:PA Wire/PA Images)
Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton(16 of16)
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Stacey and Kevin were the surprise winners of the 2018 series, triumphing over other finalists Ashley Roberts, Faye Tozer and Joe Sugg. The pair later went on to begin a relationship. (credit:Aaron Chown - PA Images via Getty Images)
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