Strictly Pro, Johannes Radebe Opens Up About ‘Awful’ Time At School Enduring Homophobic Abuse

Strictly Come Dancing pro Johannes Radebe has opened up about his “horrible” time at school in South Africa, where he endured homophobic physical and verbal abuse.

The 35-year-old professional dancer has been open about his sexuality during his time on the hit BBC competition and was cast in Strictly’s first same-sex couple alongside baker John Whaite in 2021.

But growing up in the Zamdela township near Johannesburg, Johannes said he had to ‘duck and dive’ from bullies who called him a ‘sissy’ and ‘hit’ him ‘many times’.

speaking to The Guardian about his latest solo venture, a tour called Freedom Unleashed, Johannes explained that despite the bad times he was still “covered in love” for his mother.

He said: ‘I had to duck and dive. The school was horrible. They [the bullies] He used to tell me: “Oh, faggot!”.

The dancer added that if he got far enough away, he would hit them back with a cheeky retort: ​​”But if I’d been close, they would have punched me, which I’ve done many times.”

Johannes also added that he still has friends living in his native South Africa who still endure homophobic abuse and that he is happy to be living in the UK.

“You still have a long way to go, but people make space for each other to coexist,” he added.

Last year, Johannes revealed that he is ready for a relationship after battling “internalized homophobia”.

The pro opened up about his love life on Loose Women, where he fought back tears as he revealed how he spent years “hating” himself.

During a candid conversation, Johannes admitted that he had recently had a discussion about his sexuality with his mother.

The conversation led Kate Adams to ask the choreographer if he was interested in dating someone: ‘Are you ready for love in your life?’ she asked.

Johannes replied: ‘Oh, absolutely! I’m ready for love in my life,

Upbringing: Growing up in Zamdela township near Johannesburg, Johannes said he had to ‘duck and dive’ from bullies who called him a ‘sissy’ and ‘beat’ him ‘many times’ (pictured as a teenager)

Young man: Speaking to The Guardian about his latest solo venture, a tour called Freedom Unleashed, Johannes explained that despite the bad times, he was still “covered in love” from his mother (depicted as a boy).

Nadia Sawalha then questioned the artist: ‘But you haven’t been before, have you? Do you feel like you’ve gotten there now?’

Johannes replied, “I feel so, I blame it on internalized homophobia and the fact that I’ve hated myself for so long.”

‘So I’m in a better place. I deserve a little love too.

During the 2021 series of the BBC dance show, Johannes made history with Bake Off’s John Whaite as the show’s first same-sex male couple.

He joked about his friend: ‘I love how they make them in Wigan. I have fallen in love again with an art form.’

Star: During the 2021 series of the BBC dance show, Johannes made history with Bake Off’s John Whaite as the show’s first same-sex male couple.

Johannes previously revealed that he has become more comfortable talking to his mother about his sexuality since his on-screen partnership with John.

The television personality confessed that she had never broached the subject with her mother due to her “conservative” views.

It began: “What happened between John and I last year really changed my relationship with my mother: for the first time, we can talk openly about my sexuality.”

‘There was no problem, but it was something we never addressed, it was something we never talked about.

The South African native continued: “You know, with African people, very conservative, and I still respect that, but it’s nice the way it is now.”

Home: Johannes also added that he still has friends living in his native South Africa who still endure homophobic abuse and that he is happy to be living in the UK