This article first appeared in Radio Times magazine.
Johannes Radebe is a Strictly Come Dancing favourite and will return to the show later this year.
He made his musical theatre debut in a UK touring production of Kinky Boots in 2025. Now it’s his first time performing in the West End, reprising his role as drag queen Lola, who forms an unlikely friendship with Charlie (Matt Cardle) after he inherits his father’s struggling shoe factory and starts making footwear for drag queens.
Johannes, you’ve gone from being a dancer to a singer and actor – how did that happen?
It took me two years to say yes to the job, because of impostor syndrome. I despise celebrity casting and I understood there would be so many black, queer men on the sidelines, wanting this opportunity. And while I’ve always been on stage, I wasn’t very confident with my singing. My mum always told me I sound like a sheep. I went to singing lessons and my teacher said, “That’s called a vibrato, and a very fast, strong one that we can work with.”
When did you first wear heels?
I was a teeny, weeny boy when I put on my mum’s heels for the first time. Playing with other kids was hard, so that was my pastime. I would also throw on her turbans and necklaces. I remember the feeling, the freedom, I was afforded by her of: “OK, do your thing.” But she was like, “If your father sees you, don’t come running to me.”
Want to see this content?
This page contains content provided by YouTube. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as YouTube may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose ‘Accept and continue’ to allow YouTube and its required purposes.
What was it like growing up in Zamdela in South Africa?
As a young boy, many who loved me didn’t know how to handle my queerness. I remember my uncle saying, “As long as you don’t come here with hair and nails and make-up, we’re fine.” I said, “So your love comes with conditions. I don’t think that’s love at all.” It was also the thing that propelled me to get out of my township, because I thought, “I’m not gonna survive”. I had to deal with my internal homophobia. I’m glad I’m over that now.
Do you still encounter homophobia?
When I was doing rehearsals in Leicester [Kinky Boots played a limited run at Leicester Curve before the London Coliseum], I went to buy a jacket potato and the ladies that served me were gorgeous. They were big fans of Strictly, so you can imagine the energy that would erupt from them! Then this boy comes out of nowhere and shouts a racist, homophobic slur. I went, “Exactly, darling!” I know what it is to be bullied, but I’ve always been able to rise above that.
So how do you rise above it?
It comes from the love and support I’ve experienced since being in this country [Radebe became a British citizen in February]. It outweighs any hate I might encounter, because I’m now a stronger man so I can handle my business. As a young boy, I couldn’t, and I’m glad for those people that interceded.
You made Strictly Come Dancing history when you partnered with John Whaite in 2021. Did it feel like a big deal at the time?
Nicola [Adams] and Katya [Jones] did it first [in 2020], and respect to them. At the time the thought of seeing them on that dancefloor terrified me, because of my life experiences. I thought, “These women are brave.” When Strictly asked me, it bothered me that I had to think about it. Having my mum’s approval mattered. The first thing she said was, “What’s the problem? Does [John] not deserve the Johannes that everybody else deserves? Open heart, open mind.” That was all I needed to hear.
How did your family react?
I watched the final with my family in South Africa and I realised how invested they were. My niece said, “Look at the way they look at each other!” The whole room erupted and said, “Yeah, why didn’t you bring him home? You guys are in love!” And I was like “No, no,” but it was just the sheer joy of having a conversation about me being in a relationship with a man. My uncle said, “You guys deserved to win.” It changed the trajectory of my relationship with my entire family.
You were on Celebrity MasterChef in 2021 and won The Great British Sewing Bee: Celebrity Christmas Special in 2022. Are there any other shows you’d love to go on?
I was a choreographer on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World [in 2022], but I still need to sit on the judging panel. That’s icon status. I’m just going to keep on working so I can sit in that chair.
There’s also a film adaptation of your 2023 memoir JoJo: Finally Home in the works. Do you have any updates?
Why do films take forever? It is greenlit, but we welcome more producers. I read the first script a few months ago and it was absolutely heart-warming.
Is it exciting to tell your life story?
I didn’t realise what I was doing was inspirational. But now looking back, so many people need that encouragement, especially where I come from. There’s a lack of role models and a lack of representation. I want my movie to be for anyone that needs the message: get out of your township, there’s a world waiting for you.
The latest issue of Radio Times is out now – subscribe here.
Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what’s on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
