Johannes Radebe’s former Strictly Come Dancing UK partner admits falling in love with the SA expat
Johannes Radebe’s former dance partner says he “fell in love” with Johannes and “still worships the ground” he walks on…
South African professional dancer and choreographer, Johannes Radebe (36), has found himself making headlines again in the UK after a former Strictly Come Dancing dance partner revealed that he “fell in love” with Johannes during the filming of the series in 2021, and still has feelings for him.
The revelations were made by Great British Bake Off star, John Whaite (34), who was in a relationship with his partner of 15 years at the time. John and Johannes made headlines in 2021 when they became the first ever male pairing on Strictly Come Dancing in the UK (and finished second).
John told the UK Times newspaper: “When you’re physically pressed against another man for 10 hours a day, things move emotionally. So I fell in love with him. I still love him, of course I do. I can’t speak for him, because I’m not allowed to, legally, but it felt like there was love there. We had such similar stories growing up – the homophobia, the bullying, coming out, coming to terms with our sexuality – as any queer kid would.”
John said that after admitting his feelings for Johannes to his partner (Paul Atkins), they spent time apart… but have reconciled. While John confesses he “still loves” Johannes and “worships the ground he walks on”, he says he no longer has regular contact with the South African out of respect for Paul. For his part, Johannes has previously paid tribute to his dance partner, saying “not only is John an amazing dancer, he is an incredible friend and I can’t imagine a life without him in it.”
Johannes is still single according to the UK press. He told Hello! magazine, in 2022, that “due to internalised homophobia for the longest time, I thought that I did not deserve love”, but that he now feels. ready and is looking for kindness in a partner. He told the magazine: “Kindness goes a long way because the day that we don’t love each other, as long as we are kind to each other, it will carry us.”
John’s memoir ‘Dancing on Eggshells’ is released next week. Meanwhile, Johannes is co-producing Michael R Jackson’s musical at the Barbican Theatre in London until 9 September.
The following evening, 10 Sep 2023, Johannes will be celebrating the launch of his own autobiography – “Jojo: Finally Home” – at Harold Pinter theatre in London.
WATCH John and Johannes on Strictly Come Dancing, 2021