Strictly Come Dancing’s Johannes Radebe is reportedly set to depart the show after its 2024 season. The 37-year-old South African dance marvel, who has showcased his talents as a professional on the hit BBC programme since 2018, is currently dancing with Gladiators’ Montell Douglas, aged 38, this season, and they remain contenders for the coveted Glitterball Trophy.
Yet sources claim Johannes is eyeing new horizons in dance for next year, with ambitions to transform his life story into a film and whispers of landing a starring role in a major stage musical. Such a commitment could keep him tied up for seven months, ruling out the possibility of joining the 2025 instalment of Strictly Come Dancing.
The popular BBC series traditionally kicks off in August each year, but the run-up involves weeks of pairing and intensive training between celebrities and their dancing partners. These emerging commitments raise concerns that Johannes might have to bid farewell to the dance floor of Strictly.
An insider speaking to The Sun shared: “Johannes is hugely loved on the show and there isn’t an atom of bad feeling about him leaving. Both he and the show’s bosses realise he is overwhelmed with work as a result of his soaring popularity and wish him all the best. But nobody can ever get so big that they continually take up too much limelight – the star of the show must always be the show itself.”
An insider has disclosed that while Johannes might be taking a breather to manage his demanding schedule, the possibility of his return hasn’t been ruled out. The source explained: “He just has too much to juggle alongside the contest. It isn’t just the announced projects that he’s working on, there are other opportunities in the pipeline too, which he can now explore further,” according to reports from the Mirror.
Daily Record has reached out for comments from both the Strictly Come Dancing team and the representative for Johannes.
Meanwhile, Johannes’s autobiography titled “JoJo: Finally Home” is making significant strides towards being adapted for the big screen, with Argo Films expressing interest.
Producer Richard Johns shared his excitement with Deadline in September, stating: “Johannes’ story is so full of joy and life that I found the project completely irresistible and therefore couldn’t be more thrilled to work with [producers] Anthony and Helena on bringing this uplifting memoir to the screen. They are an incredible pairing, used to working together, but have quickly made me feel welcome as part of the team.”
This recent development reveals how the Strictly star’s memoir, exploring his formative years in Zamelda, a South African township, and his rise in the dance arena to starring in the hit BBC show, Strictly Come Dancing, has caught the cinematic eye.