Strictly’s Johannes Radebe reveals he’s ready for love after ‘internalised homophobia’

Johannes Radebe revealed that he’s ready for a relationship after struggling with ‘internalised homophobia’.

The Strictly Come Dancing pro, 34, opened up about his love life on Loose Women on Friday. 

The South African dancer, who has been on the BBC show since 2018 fought back tears as he revealed how he spent years ‘hating’ himself. 

During a candid chat with the panel, Johannes admitted that he had only recently had a conversation about his sexuality with his mum.

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

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

Support: The Strictly Come Dancing pro, 34, opened up about his love life on Loose Women on Friday.

Nadia Sawalha then questioned the performer: ‘But you haven’t been before have you, do you feel you’ve arrived there now?’

Johannes replied: ‘I feel like I have, I blame it on internalised homophobia and the fact that I have hated myself for such a long time.

‘So I’m in a better place. I also deserve some love.’ 

Interview: Nadia Sawalha then questioned the performer: ‘But you haven’t been before have you, do you feel you’ve arrived there now?’

Many viewers at home flocked to Twitter to share their love and support.

One wrote: ”Just watched @jojo_radebe on Loose Women. Oh my word, why can’t everyone in the world be as beautiful and kind a human as this human. He put a smile on my face #Strictly #LooseWomen #Kindness #BeKind.’

A second said: ‘Johannes is so relatable. He’s just so precious.’

Another tweeted: ‘ ‘Johannes is just lovely. #loosewomen.’

Fans: Many viewers at home rushed to Twitter to share their love and support

During the last series of the BBC ballroom show, Johannes made history with Bake Off’s John Whaite as the programme’s first ever male same sex couple.   

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

Johannes previously revealed he has felt more comfortable speaking with his mother about his sexuality since his on-screen partnership with John.

The TV personality confessed he had never addressed the subject with his parent due to her ‘conservative’ views.

He began: ‘What happened between John and I last year really changed my relationship with my mother – for the first time, we can speak about my sexuality openly.

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

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

Iconic: During the last series of the BBC ballroom show, Johannes made history with Bake Off’s John Whaite as the programme’s first ever male same sex couple (pictured in 2021)