As he continues to wow the West End in the hit musical Kinky Boots, 2026 is about to become one of the biggest years of Johannes Radebe’s life.
Following the departures of the co-hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman from Strictly Come Dancing, the dancer, 39, is set to join as a co-host alongside Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe when the new series begins in September.
Describing his thrilling career move as “beyond anything I ever imagined”, he wrote in a statement: “This show has always stood for joy, heart and togetherness, and I feel deeply honoured to now help carry that magic forward. To do it alongside the formidable Emma Willis and the utterly brilliant Josh Widdicombe makes it even more special. I’m ready – sequins, nerves and all.”
Speaking to HELLO! ahead of the announcement, Johannes, who first joined Strictly in 2018 as a professional dancer, is on a high as he explains why he believes the stars have aligned to bring him success. “I think it’s divine intervention, coupled with hard work,” he says. “When you strive, opportunity will meet you. If you don’t do that, nothing will happen.
“When my bosses from Burn The Floor [the famous ballroom show in which he toured the world] planted the idea in my mind that the place for my artistry to blossom would be the UK, I put myself forward and everything just aligned. But it was never about the glitterball for me; it was about the dream.”
Johannes was raised in the South African township of Zamdela, and credits his Aunt Martha as being one of his “greatest champions”, helping him blaze a trail as a dancer before her death during the Covid pandemic.
“In my culture, we also believe that when people pass away, they become a watchful eye,” he says. “I believe there are people who have passed who would have wished this for me.”
Looking forward to the new season of Strictly, Johannes, who has previously been partnered with contestants including Annabel Croft and John Whaite, insists that he will definitely be “throwing some shapes” in the next series. Until then, he continues to dazzle West End audiences in his dream role as the drag queen Lola in Kinky Boots, a musical adaptation of the 2005 film.
“It’s absolutely wild and beautifully overwhelming. The sheer size of the Coliseum makes my tummy flutter.”
His first singing role was, he admits, initially such a “daunting” prospect that he took singing lessons for two years before auditioning for the part. “I was a performative child and would belt out songs at home,” he recalls, “but I never had the confidence to sing in front of people, so I had to get over that.
Johannes, who has faced bullying and homophobia since he was a child, has been conquering challenges throughout his life. His 2023 best-selling book, Jojo: Finally Home, which charts his rollercoaster ride to stardom, is now being turned into a film. As an executive producer, he has the opportunity to choose who will play his beloved mother, Jacobeth, and himself.
“There are so many Jojos roaming the streets of Zandela and it would be lovely to find someone who walked a similar path, who loves ballroom and Latin American dancing,” he says. “So I will be going to South Africa to find him, and also plan to open it to the rest of Africa and the world.
“There will be a young Jojo and an older Jojo. The question is, though, should I play myself?”
The dancer credits HELLO! magazine, which ran his first exclusive interview after he arrived in the UK in 2018, as playing its part in his story.
“I will never forget as long as I live, thank you,” he tells us. “I’m so grateful for being seen as a human being and for being championed on this journey. It’s a mad, wild industry but what you guys did with me has really shaped my career. I will never forget that.”
Jojo has also enchanted royalty. The Queen and the Duchess of Edinburgh were already firm fans when he charmed the Prince and Princes of Wales in a number from Kinky Boots at the 2025 Royal Variety Performance.
“There’s something so angelic and regal about her.”
“I was still in my denim boots, in full drag. William said, ‘I don’t know how you do it in those heels!’ I replied, ‘I can teach you if you like.’ We both laughed. I curtsied to his father, the King, once, and did so for William, too.
“As for Catherine, I’d never been that close to her before. There’s something so angelic and regal about her. She was so gracious, talking to everyone, and really engaged.
“I’d love to do a waltz with her, to Audrey Hepburn’s Moon River. I think William would surprise us all on the dance floor, in a fluorescent samba costume!”
Kinky Boots runs until 11 July at the London Coliseum.
