Johannes Radebe is a South African-born dancer, choreographer and television presenter best known for his work on Strictly Come Dancing. He joined the BBC programme as a professional dancer in 2018 and later became one of its presenters in 2026. His career also includes competitive Latin dancing, live theatre, touring productions and a bestselling memoir.
Born in Zamdela, South Africa, he started dancing at the age of seven. Years of training took him from local competitions to international stages and eventually to British television.
His 2021 Strictly partnership with John Whaite became a landmark moment for the show, while his role in Kinky Boots introduced him to musical-theatre audiences. This guide covers his age, height, personal life, career and upcoming tour.
Johannes Radebe Tour
Johannes Radebe has created several live dance productions, including Freedom, Freedom Unleashed and House of Jojo. His shows combine ballroom and Latin dance with music, costumes and personal storytelling.
His 2024 production, House of Jojo, toured the UK and included performances at the London Palladium. The show brought together a cast of dancers and gave audiences the chance to see him perform beyond the weekly Strictly competition.
His next production, Johannes Radebe: Finally Home, is scheduled to tour the UK and Ireland in 2027. The title reflects a theme that also appears in his memoir: finding a sense of belonging.
Tour dates, ticket prices and availability can change. Anyone planning to attend should check the latest details with the relevant theatre before booking.
Johannes Radebe Husband
There is no publicly confirmed information that Johannes has a husband. He has spoken openly about being gay and about his hope of finding a partner, while keeping much of his personal life private.
In September 2026, Heart reported that he was thought to be single. His relationship status may change, and he has not publicly confirmed a marriage in the information available at that time.
Some viewers associate him with John Whaite because they danced together on Strictly Come Dancing. They were a celebrity and professional dance partnership on the programme. Their work together does not establish that they were married or in a romantic relationship.
Johannes Radebe Height
Johannes is widely reported to be approximately 1.83 metres tall, or around 6 feet. Entertainment profiles do not always list the same measurement, so the figure should be treated as an approximation.
His height is sometimes discussed by Strictly viewers because professional dancers perform with celebrity partners of different heights. Each partnership also depends on training, choreography and how the pair work together.
On stage, his performances combine the technique he developed as a competitive Latin dancer with the storytelling skills he has used in television and theatre.
Johannes Radebe Wife
There is no publicly confirmed information that Johannes has a wife. He has spoken openly about his sexuality, but he has not publicly confirmed a marriage.
As a familiar television personality, his friendships and dance partnerships sometimes attract speculation. A celebrity partner on Strictly Come Dancing is someone paired with a professional dancer for the competition, and the term does not describe their private relationship.
He has previously spoken about wanting to make more time for dating. However, details about his personal relationships should be based on what he chooses to share publicly.
Johannes Radebe Net Worth
Johannes Radebe’s exact net worth is not publicly confirmed. Although several websites publish estimates, those figures are not supported by a complete public account of his assets, earnings and financial commitments.
He has worked across several areas of entertainment, including television, dance tours, musical theatre and publishing. His professional activities include:
- Appearing as a professional dancer and presenter on Strictly Come Dancing
- Touring with productions such as Freedom and House of Jojo
- Playing Lola in the musical Kinky Boots
- Publishing his memoir, Jojo: Finally Home
These projects demonstrate the breadth of his career. They do not, however, reveal how much he personally earns or owns.
Johannes Radebe Strictly
Johannes joined the professional cast of Strictly Come Dancing in 2018. During his first series, he performed in group routines with the other professionals. In 2019, actress Catherine Tyldesley became his first celebrity partner.
He went on to dance with contestants from television, comedy and sport, including Caroline Quentin, Ellie Taylor, Annabel Croft, Montell Douglas and Alex Kingston.
His 2021 partnership with baker John Whaite became one of the most significant moments of his time as a professional dancer. They were the programme’s first all-male celebrity and professional pairing and reached the final, finishing as runners-up to Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice.
In 2026, Johannes returned in a new role as a presenter alongside Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe.
Johannes Radebe Accent
Johannes grew up in South Africa, and his speaking voice reflects his South African background. He was born in Zamdela, near Sasolburg, and spent the early part of his life and dance career in the country.
He later moved to the UK after joining Strictly Come Dancing. In February 2026, he became a British citizen, an event he described publicly as meaningful to him.
His South African upbringing remains an important part of his identity and the stories he shares through his memoir and stage work. People’s voices can also develop over time as they live and work in different places.
Johannes Radebe Age
Johannes was born on 27 April 1987. He is 39 years old as of October 2026 and will turn 40 on 27 April 2027.
He began dancing when he was seven. As he grew older, he developed his skills in ballroom and Latin dance and began competing in South Africa.
His achievements included becoming a two-time professional South African Latin champion and a three-time South African amateur Latin champion. He later performed on cruise ships, appeared on South African dance television and toured internationally with Burn the Floor.
These experiences helped prepare him for a career that now includes television, live touring and musical theatre.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Johannes Radebe grow up?
Johannes grew up in Zamdela, a township near Sasolburg in South Africa’s Free State province. He discovered dancing as a child and has credited his family, teachers and local community for supporting his early ambitions.
Is he still on Strictly Come Dancing?
Yes. In 2026, he became a presenter of Strictly Come Dancing alongside Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe. He previously appeared on the BBC programme as a professional dancer after joining the cast in 2018.
Did he win Strictly with John Whaite?
No. The pair reached the final in 2021 but finished as runners-up. Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice won the series. Johannes and John were the show’s first all-male celebrity and professional pairing.
What role did he play in Kinky Boots?
He played Lola in Kinky Boots. After appearing in the UK and Ireland touring production in 2025, he made his West End debut in the role at the London Coliseum in 2026.
What is his book called?
His memoir is called Jojo: Finally Home. Published in 2023, it covers his childhood in South Africa, his experiences in dance and the journey that led him to British television. It became a Sunday Times bestseller.
Conclusion
Johannes Radebe’s career began with childhood dance lessons in South Africa and grew to include national titles, international tours and British television. His work on Strictly Come Dancing introduced him to a wide audience, while his partnership with John Whaite became an important moment in the programme’s history.
He has continued to develop his career through live productions, his memoir and his role in Kinky Boots. In 2026, he took on a new challenge as one of the Strictly presenters.
His personal life and exact finances remain largely private, but his professional achievements are well documented. With the Finally Home tour scheduled for 2027, audiences will have another opportunity to see the dancer perform on stage.

