Strictly’s Joannes Radebe, who is about to start a new job role, has reflected on the ‘worst’ thing anyone has ever said to him and said he ‘always’ has it in the back of his head
Johannes, 38, quickly became a Strictly favourite, but he has also seen his career blossom away from the famous ballroom(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Ray Burmiston)
Strictly’s Joannes Radebe has opened up on the ‘worst’ thing anyone has ever said to him and said he “always” has it in the back of his head, as he prepares to start his new job.
Johannes, 38, quickly became a Strictly favourite, but he has also seen his career blossom away from the famous ballroom. He is currently preparing to reprise the role of drag queen Lola in hit musical, Kinky Boots, for a limited time only. The show follows the story of Charlie Price, who inherits his family’s failing shoe factory and develops a line of high-heeled boots after meeting cabaret performer Lola.
When asked by The Guardian what the worst thing is anyone has said to him was, Joannes said: “I’ll never amount to anything. Who? He was my rival at dance school. It hurt and is something that I’ve always had in the back of my head to defy.”
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The star first joined the cast of the Olivier and Tony award-winning musical in 2025 and will return to the role of Lola ahead of its run at the London Coliseum later this year. He will star alongside singer and X Factor winner Matt Cardle.
While Johannes will be starring in Kinky Boots, he has ‘confirmed’ he will be returning to Strictly. Later this year, professional dancers will be paired with another batch of celebrity contestants as the long-running BBC show returns for a 24th season.
And while original host Tess Daly and long-term fellow presenter Claudia Winkleman have now left the series, a number of familiar faces will still be seen on the ballroom floor. And South African dance whiz Johannes will be one of those faces.
Fans had been concerned that the dance star would quit the show, having completed an impressive seven years on the dance floor. But now the twinkle-toed star has confirmed he will be back for more later this year.
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Appearing on the BBC’s Graham Norton Show in February, Johannes confronted speculation that he planned to quit. Host Graham reflected on the fact that the dancer appeared overcome with emotions when he bowed out of the 2025 contest.
The host asked: “I’ve got to ask you, while you’re here, Johannes, a lot of Strictly fans, myself included, were a bit worried, you were very boo hoo when you said goodbye to Alex Kingston on Strictly, is that the end? Are you not coming back to Strictly?”
The dancer replied: “Was I boo hoo?” as Graham confirmed: “Yes, you were sobbing!” The audience and fellow stars on the sofa soon appeared elated as Johannes effectively confirmed he will be back for the 2026 season.
He gushed: “Graham, I will do that show for as long as they will have me. It’s a magical, sparkling world, I love it.” His reaffirmation of love for Strictly comes after comments he made on the BBC show led to fans fearing he would quit. Speaking to Tess Daly before bowing out, he said at the time: “To my Strictly family, I’m forever grateful. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
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