Former Celebrity Big Brother and professional dancer Oti Mabuse was on hand to defend JoJo Siwa’s hands-on friendship with Chris Hughes on the ITV reality series
As fans question JoJo Siwa and Chris Hughes’ relationship in the Celebrity Big Brother house they had a surprise supporter in Oti Mabuse. The former Dancing On Ice judge and previous CBB contestant appeared on ITV spin-off show, Late and Live and offered an insight into the friendship.
Oti revealed their closeness is normal in the dancing world – JoJo rose to fame after appearing on reality TV show Dance Moms, before gaining notoriety in the industry. And as fans were confused by how close Chris and JoJo were getting, Oti admitted it’s normal in the industry.
It came after JoJo, 21, was seen sucking chocolate from 32-year-old Chris’ shorts in a scene before then trying to help him with a rather delicate ingrown hair.
After panellists said the behaviour was “not normal” Oti jumped in: “Can I just say I don’t mind their friendship. As a professional dancer, we are quite tactile people anyway so we don’t mind touching.
“We don’t mind touching and being really close because their friendship is actually showing other people’s insecurities and thinking why are we not in that duo and it’s just showing who they are.”
She went on to say she did think the friendship was genuine, adding: “I don’t think that Chris is thinking opportunity with JoJo. I just think his intelligence level is more like JoJo and it’s literally platonic. “
Earlier on the main show, JoJo was seen consoling Chris after he broke down in tears in the Diary Room. As the group had to find hidden Easter eggs using clues, one explained how a housemate had called Chris annoying.
The reveal upset Chris, who spent 63 minutes talking to Big Brother. He said: “I hate toxic stuff in life. I hate toxic energy. It just brings you down. You can feel when energy shifts and it’s just not nice.
“I don’t want to be emotional and sad but sometimes you just can’t help it.”
After the former Love Island star returned to his housemates, he attempted to deflect from the issue when Patsy Palmer asked why he had been away so long. He tried to pass it off as having had a stomach ache, but Patsy thought he had received a secret meal.
However, with pal JoJo Siwa noticing he was upset, she grabbed her friend for a close hug. He continued to ponder on the moment later on.
Speaking to JoJo in the garden he said he “isn’t cut out” for the Big Brother house.
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