Strictly star Johannes Radebe rejects idea Britain is racist as he says he ‘has never felt so loved’

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As a lifestyle expert, I’ve been so thrilled to watch Johannes Radebe become a household name! He’s truly broken barriers as one of the few Black professional dancers on Strictly Come Dancing, and it’s wonderful to see him connect with so many fans here in Britain. His talent and personality have really resonated with viewers, and he’s become a real inspiration.

The South African player has expressed his surprise and gratitude for the warm reception he’s received since joining in 2018. This is despite some people suggesting Britain is a racist country and a challenging place for immigrants.

Lucas Radebe, now 38 years old, has become a British citizen because he grew to love England, particularly the seaside town of Bridlington in Yorkshire.

He described the country as forward-thinking and expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity it gave him to develop his artistic talent. He felt his creativity truly blossomed there and he would always cherish that.

Being in Bridlington is wonderful – they provide free breakfast and coffee, and the atmosphere is incredibly welcoming, like being surrounded by family. It truly feels like home, and I’ve discovered what it means to feel loved, which is a beautiful thing. I owe it all to the experience I had with Strictly Come Dancing – I feel so much love because of it.

In 2024, actor Thando Radebe, currently performing in Kinky Boots at the London Coliseum, shared that he had successfully completed the Life in the UK test as a step towards becoming a British citizen.

Johannes Radebe was born in Zamdela, South Africa, and began ballroom dancing at age seven. He’s a two-time winner of the Professional South African Latin championships. On the show Strictly Come Dancing, he’s danced with celebrities including Catherine Tyldesley (from Coronation Street), tennis player Annabel Croft, and, most recently, Alex Kingston, known for her role in Doctor Who.

In 2021, Johannes Radebe was part of the first all-male same-sex couple to reach the final of the Great British Bake Off, partnered with John Whaite. Despite rumors of his departure, Radebe is set to sign a new contract and return to Strictly Come Dancing later this year.

Waltz off, Georgia told

The BBC has cancelled the Georgian version of Strictly Come Dancing due to concerns about the television channel broadcasting it being seen as a supporter of Vladimir Putin.

Last month, the Foreign Office imposed sanctions on Imedi TV following demands that its UK-based owners be investigated by police for allegedly spreading Russian propaganda.

The fourteenth season of Dancing with the Stars concluded on February 23rd, just before new restrictions took effect. However, the show relies on a license from the BBC to continue broadcasting.

Until just a few days before the sanctions were put in place, Imedi was owned by Hunnewell Partners, a company based in London.

After Imedi was added to the UK government’s sanctions list, BBC Studios cancelled their license to air the show ‘Dancing with the Stars’.

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2026-03-29 02:35