Strictly fans 'worried' for 'troubled' Johannes Radebe as he reveals true feelings about show
Fans have taken to social media, sharing their concern for Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Johannes Radebe, who they believe hasn’t been his “usual gorgeous self” on the show since it returned last month. Following last week’s episode, one fan wrote on social media: “Hope you had fun Johannes! You haven’t been your usual joyous self lately (on Strictly). Many fans have been concerned about you lovely.” Johannes replied to the comment, writing: “I’m okay darling, Montel has been good to me and we’re enjoying the dancing. Hope you’re good. X,” referring to his celebrity dance partner, Olympic athlete Montell Douglas.
His many fans sent their best wishes to the South African dancer. “Johannes has not been his ebullient self and I was concerned as well. Hope all is well, JoJo!” said one, while another wrote: “Awww I love JoJo he’s a wonderful person and a great dancer bless him.” A third commented: “We love you JoJo. If something is troubling you we hope it sorts itself out. We miss your lovely smile and exuberantly happy self,” and a fourth added: “He’s the very epitome of a gentleman. He’s a gentle man god bless him.”
Last week for Movie Week, Montell and Johannes danced to One Night Only from the movie musical Dreamgirls, scoring 28 out of a possible 40, which many fans felt was a low mark for their routine. "Under marked and underrated! Montell is a track, Ice and dance floor queen!!!!" one viewer posted: "Absolutely beautiful!! Think she was a bit under marked tbh but gorgeous nonetheless," said another, while a third fan commented: "It was beautiful they were undermarked."
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Earlier this year, Johannes revealed that he nearly quit Strictly in 2023 after discovering he would be partnered with former British tennis player Annabel Croft because he was concerned he was not the perfect fit for her. On the Table Manners podcast in February, he revealed that he had lost a cousin to suicide just before the show began, while Annabel was grieving her husband Mel Coleman, who had died from colon cancer. Johannes was concerned their mutual grief would translate badly onto the dance floor.
"When they said I'm dancing with her, I was like: 'What are they trying to achieve?' And I say that because two weeks before I started, I buried my cousin who [died by] suicide," he said. "I remember calling my agent, I was like, I don't know what's going to happen. Maybe we should say that I shouldn't get a partner this year because I just really need some time out."
Johannes and Annabel did partner on the show and became friends. Johannes later said: “A lot of people say, ‘Oh Johannes, you helped Annabel’, but no, Annabel helped me.”
