New Strictly host Johannes Radebe reveals his tears during rehearsals: 'I miss that'
Johannes, Josh and Emma Willis appeared on It Takes Two on ThursdayJohannes Radebe has revealed he cried during Strictly Come Dancing rehearsals after returning to the ballroom as a presenter.
Speaking on It Takes Two, Johannes said watching the couples prepare stirred his own memories of competing.
The confession follows mixed reactions to Strictly’s new hosting team, featuring Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes. Some viewers have questioned the three-presenter dynamic and suggested changing how responsibilities are divided.
Johannes Radebe explains his rehearsal tears
Asked whether returning without dancing felt strange, Johannes gave Ellie Taylor a candid answer.
He said: “It was. I did cry, didn’t I? In rehearsals.”
His response captured the tension between his old place in the competition and his new role beside the dance floor. He explained that seeing the cast arrive in costume made their recent work suddenly feel real.
Johannes said he understood each routine and what the dancers had endured during the previous two weeks. The moment reminded him how much he missed preparing with a celebrity partner.
He admitted: “I was just like, oh… I miss that, but I’ve got partners with me. So it’s fine.”
This season places him beside Emma and Josh instead of pairing him with a celebrity. He joined Strictly’s professional line-up in 2018 and danced with stars including Catherine Tyldesley and Caroline Quentin.
Despite that nostalgia, Johannes found plenty to enjoy in the opening performances. He said “there are so many surprises” after watching contestants produce routines he had not expected.
His verdict was upbeat: “We are in for a real treat this year.”
Meanwhile, Josh looked ahead at this weekend where the first elimination will take place. Josh said of the first elimination: “I feel really bad. I feel terrible already. Do you know what, I think I’m just going to do the Saturday show this week, and leave the other two to do the Sunday.”
Strictly Come Dancing’s new hosts face viewer criticism
The new trio’s first live show had exposed the pressure surrounding such a major presenter change. They replaced Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman after the former hosts left last year.
Emma described the live debut as a “baptism of fire” during the same It Takes Two discussion.
Social media comments also debated where each presenter should work. One viewer argued Emma should lead downstairs alone, with Josh handling lighter conversations upstairs.
Viewer complaints about Johannes Radebe’s timing also focused on him speaking while contestants climbed the stairs. Another fan proposed rotating or alternating roles each week while the team finds its rhythm.
When Strictly Come Dancing airs
The 2026 series continues every weekend on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. This Sunday’s results show will bring the first elimination, following an opening week without a departure.
Read more: Richard Osman criticises Johannes Radebe’s role on Strictly as he calls for change
Strictly continues on Saturday, October 3 from 6.15pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI technology to synthesise source reporting and structured data. It has been reviewed, edited, and fact-checked by our human editorial team before publication.
