Coronation Street star Catherine Tyldesley has shared her emotional reaction to her former Strictly Come Dancing dance partner Johannes Radebe landing a hosting role on the popular programme.
The actress, who returned to playing Eva Price in the ITV soap last year, took part in the BBC One dance contest back in 2021 and was paired with the professional dancer. The pair were seen becoming the fifth couple to be eliminated from the competition that year, with fellow soap star Kelvin Fletcher going on to win the 17th series alongside pro partner Oti Mabuse.
Several years on from their stint on the dancefloor, Johannes has gone on to train a number of famous faces, most recently actress Alex Kingston during the 2025 run of the show. But it has recently been revealed that he will be one of the new hosts of Strictly when it returns later this year, alongside presenter Emma Willis and comedian and TV star Josh Widdicombe. The trio were selected to take over as the hosts of Strictly after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman left their long-running roles on the Saturday night entertainment favourite at the end of the 2025 series in December.
During an Instagram Q&A, Catherine was asked about how she felt hearing the news that Johannes would be presenting the show, to which she said: 'I shed a little tear. Nobody deserves it more!' She went on to say of the dancer: 'That man is pure sunshine. He grafts day in and day out - always with a smile and always with kindness.'
It comes after Johannes' appointment to the hosting role came as a surprise to some, as it came after he was confirmed to be returning to the popular programme as part of the pro line-up. Speaking on Heart Breakfast to hosts Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakston, the 39-year-old admitted landing the role was a 'massive surprise' and that he is feeling both 'nervous and excited' about it. He also said: 'Did I see it coming like you said? No, I did not. So when I was offered the opportunity to come in for the chemistry test, I was like, "You know what?". As my agent said, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained!"'
