South African dancer Johannes Radebe has officially stepped into one of British television’s most coveted roles. Looking back, his journey from a township outside Sasolburg to the Strictly Come Dancing hosting chair is nothing short of extraordinary.
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The BBC recently confirmed that the Free State-born dancer will co-host the 24th season of the beloved dancing competition. The move makes Radebe the first South African-born presenter to host Strictly Come Dancing’s flagship programme, a milestone moment for local representation on British television.
Before joining the UK edition, he was a dance teacher in Johannesburg, danced on cruise ships, and won the Professional South African Latin championships twice.
His strict journey
Radebe was also a professional dancer on the South African version of Strictly Come Dancing on SABC 3 from 2014 to 2016, reaching the finals on both occasions. He also appeared on Dancing with the Stars in 2018 on M-Net, and subsequently joined the touring cast of dance show Burn the Floor.
He joined the UK edition of Strictly Come Dancing in 2018 as a professional dancer, going on to partner celebrities, including Catherine Tyldesley, Annabel Croft, and others across multiple series.
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One of his most memorable partnerships came in 2021, when he was paired with Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite in the BBC series’s first-ever same-sex pairing. The duo quickly became fan favourites and ultimately finished in second place.
For the first time in the show’s history, Strictly will have three hosts: presenter Emma Willis, Radebe, and comedian Josh Widdicombe. Per an announcement by the broadcaster, they will preside over the Strictly Ballroom in spectacular style in an exciting new era for the hit entertainment show.
The new trio replace long-time hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who left the show in 2025.
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Featured image: Getty
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