Johannes Radebe has opened up about what he found “heartbreaking” as a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing ahead of his presenting debut. Radebe, 39, who joined the cast of Strictly in 2018, is one of the show’s three new hosts, with the dancer replacing Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman alongside Josh Widdicombe and Emma Willis. Speaking to The Independent with Widdicombe and Willis ahead of the BBC competition’s return this month, he sometimes needed to be picked up off the dance floor by his celebrity partner when they were kicked out of the competition.
When asked which word he associated with “dance off”, he said: “Death. There’s a possibility of you jumping off the Strictly train and it’s heartbreaking.” His fellow host Josh Widdicombe added: “The thought of having to dance in that situation – when the judges say, ‘Just go out and express yourselves,’ it must be so difficult.” Radebe then revealed that tends to be the moment he would “crumble”. I know, because I think sometimes it’s unexpected.
If you do a terrible dance, you’re like, ‘Oh, okay, maybe we might find ourselves in the dance-off tonight.’ Do you know what I mean? You might be high on the leaderboard and find yourself in the dance-off. So, if it does happen to you, it’s quite harsh.” He added that professionals are the ones who take it the hardest.
I don’t do well with it.” New subscribers only. £9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Radebe has been partnered with seven celebrities during his time as a professional on Strictly – with his first being soap star Catherine Tyldesley, who came in 11th place in 2019. Two years later, he came in second place with Bake Off winner John Whaite and made history as part of the show’s first same-sex pairing to compete. In May, Radebe was announced as one of the three new Strictly hosts, saying in a statement at the time that the new role was “beyond anything I ever imagined”.
To do it alongside the formidable Emma Willis and the utterly brilliant Josh Widdicombe makes it even more special. I’m ready – sequins, nerves, and all, please bear with me.” Last week, the trio revealed that the BBC came up with a fictitious TV show for potential new hosts to say they were auditioning for to keep the screen tests under wraps. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
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