Strictly Come Dancing star Johannes Radebe has made a surprise announcement about his new role just hours after being revealed as one of the show's three new hosts. The 39-year-old, who has been a professional dancer on the BBC series since 2018, will transition to presenting alongside Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe. However, Radebe has now confirmed he will not give up dancing entirely.
Radebe's Dancing Future
In a behind-the-scenes video posted on the BBC's Instagram account, Radebe and Widdicombe discussed their new roles. When Widdicombe asked how Radebe felt about "not being part of the dancing team and having to interview them" instead, Radebe insisted he is not hanging up his dancing shoes. "Listen, I'm not hanging up my dancing shoes as yet. That I'm definitely not doing. I cannot. I mean, what is my life without a cha cha cha?" he teased.
This news will delight fans who were disappointed that Radebe would be a host and not a pro dancer anymore. One fan commented: "Radebe will be wasted as a presenter when he still dances SO well."
The New Hosting Line-Up
The BBC announced the new hosting trio via Instagram, sharing a sweet video revealing that Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe would take over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Emma then turned to someone behind the camera and said: "We can't do it without you." The video then revealed that Josh Widdicombe was also a host, making it the first time in 13 years that a trio has helmed the show.
In the follow-up video, the three hosts chatted about getting the role. Widdicombe told Willis that the news was "the most exciting thing in my life that I've ever kept to myself." Willis replied: "I still can't find my words because my tummy is just flipping consistently." Turning to Radebe, she added: "I imagine it's how you feel when you know you've got to walk down the stairs and they say 'Dancing the cha cha cha!' and everything goes to jelly. That's how I feel thinking about what we're about to do."
Radebe answered: "It's petrifying but I can't tell you how exciting it is." Widdicombe also expressed his fears, calling his hiring an "absolute disaster." "I've just realised that I've been booked to present something with two of the most striking people on television and I look like me. Absolute disaster," he said. "Emma is one of the great TV hosts of our generation and Johannes is one of the great dancers of our generation and I'm here as well."
Radebe's Strictly Journey
The South African-born dancer has been a fan favourite on Strictly since he started as a pro dancer in 2018. He gained particular attention after being in the first male same-sex pairing on the show with John Whaite. The two made the final and were runners-up to Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice.
Radebe's announcement that he will continue dancing means fans can still look forward to seeing him perform, even as he takes on his new presenting duties.
