Strictly star Johannes Radebe says 'Scottish audiences are the best in the world'
20.02.2023 - 20:11
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
Strictly Come Dancing has become the most inclusive show on UK TV.
It now regularly includes same-sex partnership, last year it had Paralympian Ellie Simmonds, who has dwarfism, and in 2021 saw actress Rose Ayling-Ellis, who is deaf, winning the series.
But plans to include a wheelchair user this year caused a social media backlash.
Johannes Radebe, who was partnered with John Whaite in 2021’s first male same-sex dance couple, knows the BBC1 show won’t be deterred.
The 35-year-old South African said: “Strictly are pioneers. They are trailblazers. Strictly is meant for everybody.”
While it wouldn’t be his choice, he would be happy to dance with a wheelchair user. He said: “As a professional, you take what you’re given which is also one of the incredible things.
“As a pro, you are there to serve and teach and I think there’s nothing more beautiful. It’s not about us. We have had our careers and had our moment on the dance floor.
“What we are now doing is welcoming people from all walks of life into our world. It doesn’t matter if someone has a disability.
“Anyone can be part of the show.”
He also hopes to see a trans dancer to help with the negativity the community deals with almost daily. Johannes said: “I always say Strictly Come Dancing continues to accommodate and be inclusive. The time will come for a trans person to be on the show and when it comes it will be perfect.
“We have started with same sex partnerships and should be grateful that there is progress. That will definitely come. Strictly is meant for everybody.”
Although it took the primetime show a while to catch up, having started in 2004, Strictly saw it’s first same-sex couple in 2020 when boxer Nicola Adams was partnered with Katya Jones. They only lasted one episode