Strictly’s Johannes Radebe slays the results show in a pair of high heels – WATCH
Viewers declared the South African pro "the true winner of Strictly 2019" after the sick'ning performance.
By Will Stroude
Strictly might be slow on the uptake when it comes to introducing the show’s first same-sex dance pairing, but pro dancer Johannes Radebe made sure to inject some queer fierceness into proceedings during Sunday night’s results show with a stunning performance in a pair of high heels.
Viewers declared the 32-year-old South African the show’s “true winner” after a sick’ning group number which saw Johannes channel a different kind of ballroom dancing, complete with fan, heels and leather trousers.
Johannes, who is partnered with former Coronation Street actress Catherine Tyldesley on the series, stole the show as he (quite literally) stepped over other dancers during the fashion-themed performance.
Our #Strictly Pros and Judges came to SLAY! 💅 pic.twitter.com/wXsX7a2zNY
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) October 20, 2019
Viewers ate it up, with one declaring: “Johannes is one of the best things to happen to Strictly in YEARS, an icon”
Another added: “I think we can all agree that pro routine cemented Johannes’ status as the true winner of Strictly 2019
Johannes dancing in heels is EVERYTHING #strictly pic.twitter.com/qtMqPnFgfY
— jt🌙 (@jessicamaxton) October 20, 2019
I think we can all agree that pro routine cemented Johannes’ status as the true winner of Strictly 2019 #scd #strictly
— Emma Bullimore (@EmmaBullimore) October 20, 2019
Johannes is one of the best things to happen to Strictly in YEARS, an icon https://t.co/da3PnJxmdM
— han (@HannahGraceMc) October 20, 2019
Johannes’ inspiring display comes after he told Attitude last year about the “terrible” homophobic bullying he suffered as a child.
“To this day, what still boggles my mind about it is that there were adults who used to have a name for it [being gay] as well”, he said.
“Kids called me this name [which translates as] ‘sissy boy’, bringing attention to who I am, and, at that time, of course, you don’t want to be the centre of attention, you really don’t.
“I used to hide from the world. It was terrible. They used to call me names, they used to beat me. For what, you don’t understand. ‘Why are you hitting me?’
“I don’t think any child should ever experience that.”
He added: “But I’m thankful for dance, because that was the one place I could be who I am.
“No one teased me, or if they did, my coach was on them.”