Strictly star Johannes Radebe admits he'd 'crumble' over dance-offs: 'It's heartbreaking'
Johannes will host the new series of StrictlyJohannes Radebe has revealed that Strictly Come Dancing dance-offs could overwhelm him, despite his years of professional experience.
Speaking to The Independent, Johannes described how celebrity partners sometimes helped him recover emotionally. He admitted: “That is where I’ve needed my partners to pick me up off the dance floor.”
The disclosure comes before Johannes joins Strictly Come Dancing’s new presenting team alongside Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe.
The role shifts his perspective from regular professional dancer to presenter.
Why Strictly dance-offs made Johannes Radebe ‘crumble’
Johannes linked his strongest reaction to moments when couples must dance again to remain in the competition.
He associated the dance-off with the possibility that a partnership’s run could suddenly end. He said that is usually the moment he would “crumble” on the show.
Johannes said, when asked which word he’d associate with dance-off: “Death. There’s a possibility of you jumping off the Strictly train and it’s heartbreaking.”
The risk felt particularly harsh because strong leaderboard positions could still leave couples exposed.
He added: “It’s so unpredictable. You might be high on the leaderboard and find yourself in the dance-off.”
A poor routine gave him some warning that he might face the judges again. A high score could create confidence, making a dance-off place much harder to absorb.
That uncertainty explains why the final instruction to perform freely could break his composure.
Johannes also believed professionals often felt eliminations most keenly. They could see each celebrity’s potential and imagine how far the partnership might travel.
Losing that future in one result made the dance-off more than another performance.
For Johannes, support sometimes reversed the usual teacher-student dynamic at the most difficult point. The celebrity became the person lifting the professional when the result landed.
How Johannes Radebe’s Strictly partners supported him
Johannes brought years of ballroom experience to those high-pressure moments after joining Strictly in 2018.
He was partnered with seven celebrities during his time as one of the programme’s professional dancers. Soap star Catherine Tyldesley became his first competing partner in 2019.
Two years later, Johannes and Bake Off winner John Whaite reached second place together. They made history as the show’s first-ever all-male same-sex couple.
The BBC announced Johannes, Emma and Josh as Strictly’s three new hosts in May. The trio replaces Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, bringing a different dynamic to the ballroom.
Johannes described the appointment as an honour and linked the programme’s appeal to joy, heart and togetherness.
He also praised Emma and Josh while acknowledging his nerves about the role.
When does Johannes Radebe start hosting Strictly?
Strictly Come Dancing launches on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on September 19 2026. The first live show follows on September 26.
Johannes will therefore confront the programme’s tense results from a new position within the presenting team. The same moments that once unsettled him will now unfold while he helps lead the show.
Strictly Come Dancing begins on Saturday September 19 from 7.25pm 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.
