Johannes Radebe discusses emotional toll of Strictly Come Dancing

Johannes Radebe has discussed the emotional difficulty of participating in the dance-offs on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ as he prepares to transition into a new role as a presenter for the show. Radebe, who joined the professional cast in 2018, described the experience of facing an unexpected dance-off as “heartbreaking” and compared the feeling to “death” due to the sudden possibility of a partnership ending.

He noted that the unpredictability of the format—where even high-scoring couples can find themselves in danger—often led to moments where he would “crumble.” Radebe shared that his celebrity partners frequently had to support him during these intense moments.

This announcement comes as Radebe joins Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe as part of the new presenting team for the BBC competition.