05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Strictly Come Dancing's Johannes Radebe reveals bold plans and issues warning to judge
A fan favourite professional on Strictly Come Dancing has hinted at a potential move on the popular BBC contest ahead of the latest series
Strictly Come Dancing is getting ready to return to our screens, and one popular professional has revealed his plans for the show. Johannes Radebe has opened up on his love for the BBC contest - and provided a cheeky warning for one of the judges.
South African Johannes was a runner-up on the show in 2021 with his celebrity partner John Whaite. While he is yet to win the coveted Glitter Ball, he has admitted his long-term goal lies elsewhere.
After waltzing his way to the hearts of the British public, Johannes has revealed his love of Strictly and says it would "kill me to leave the magic". But instead of leaving, he plans to simply make a shift into the judging panel. It comes after Johnannes spoke about how his personal heartbreak nearly saw him quit the BBC show.
Speaking to Heat Magazine, the professional dancer confessed he had thought about the move in roles. "I will continue to dance so long as my bones hold me up," he said. "But I could still be a part of this world long after I have hung my shoes up.
"I would love the opportunity [to be a judge]. Craig Revel Horwood watch out!"
He also revealed another of his life's goals would be to open a dance academy in his native South Africa. "I want to get young boys into dance," he said. Johannes added it's his dream to see "a new generation of JoJos at Otis [Mabuse] moving around the street".
Strictly bosses have been keeping their cards close to their chest ahead of the upcoming series about which celebrities will appear. However, the professionals on the show took to the dance studio this week for their rehearsals. The talented stars were photographed for their first rehearsal for the show last week and smiled for the cameras as they made their way into the studio.
Among those turning up were Nadiya Bychkova, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington, Gorka Marquez, Nikita Kuzmin, Dianne Buswell.
They all looked ready to work up a sweat as they arrived wearing their comfy clothes - with Nadiya sporting an oversized Minnie Mouse jumper and Gorka plumping for some loose-fitting stripy slacks.
Joining them were Luba Mushtuk, Karen Hauer, Aljaz Skorjanec, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Michelle Tskiakkas, Nancy Xu, and new recruits Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon.
It comes after bombshell news last week claimed two stars from the family show are alleged to have taken cocaine while appearing on the primetime series. With the series due to start again in September, it is the latest shock to rock the long-running programme.
It's said drug use claims were submitted to the BBC in March by Russell's Solicitors on behalf of a celebrity contestant. It's believed that other individuals have also brought forward allegations of drug consumption on Strictly Come Dancing to the BBC.
