Home / Arts and Entertainment / Strictly Star Finds UK Home, Hails 'Progressive' Nation
Strictly Star Finds UK Home, Hails 'Progressive' Nation
29 Mar
Summary
- Johannes Radebe became a British citizen after falling in love with England.
- He described Britain as a 'very progressive country' where his artistry flourished.
- Radebe expressed feeling loved and at home, especially in Bridlington, Yorkshire.
Johannes Radebe, a prominent black professional dancer on Strictly, has embraced British citizenship after relocating from South Africa in 2018. He has publicly lauded Britain as a "very progressive country" that provided fertile ground for his artistic development. Radebe, aged 38, expressed profound gratitude for the overwhelming welcome he has experienced, particularly highlighting his affection for the coastal town of Bridlington in Yorkshire.
He shared that Bridlington offers a sense of community, stating, "It feels like your mothers and sisters are there. Britain feels like home. I know what love feels like now." Radebe, who began ballroom dancing at seven and achieved success in South Africa, passed his Life in the UK test in 2024 as part of his citizenship application. His time on Strictly has seen him partnered with notable figures and part of groundbreaking same-sex pairings.
Separately, the BBC has revoked the format license for Georgia's version of Strictly Come Dancing, titled 'Dancing with the Stars.' This decision follows sanctions imposed by the UK government on Imedi TV, the broadcast channel, due to its alleged role in spreading Russian propaganda. The sanctions led to the withdrawal of the license, preventing the show from operating.
