Strictly: Johannes addresses negative messages from viewers
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Johannes Radebe grew tearful in a new interview with BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball earlier today. The professional dancer admitted he’d received some nasty messages after he and his partner John Whaite made it through to the Strictly Come Dancing final.
The couple were in the dance-off in Sunday night’s show against Rhys Stephenson and Nancy Xu.
John and Johannes were saved by the judges and will be competing in Saturday’s final.
Speaking about their reception to broadcaster Zoe, Johannes said they’d received some criticism based on them being a same-sex dance partnership.
He explained: “You know John and I have had wonderful messages but also we’ve had flack, Zoe – and that’s the truth.
“People calling us going into the finals ‘woke’ and ‘this is the BBC’s agenda’.
“But I have to say, we knew it was coming, we didn’t go into this blindly at all.
“We knew with our actions people’s lives would be changed and I can’t tell you how proud I am of John.”
“I’m so proud,” Johannes added as he grew tearful.
The Strictly professional then continued: “I don’t know why I’m getting emotional.”
Zoe was quick to reassure the star, saying she was “so sorry” he’d received messages like that.
Despite the negativity, Johannes also admitted he was “so glad” he’d signed up to dance with John.
He added: “This is the reason why Zoe, me and John have said yes to this moment, we knew it does change people’s minds.
“I’m so glad that it did. As you can imagine, this is my artistry.”
In Sunday night’s dance-off, John and Johannes performed their Jive to Higher Power by Coldplay.
All four judges voted to save the pair as Nancy and Rhys were sent home.
Speaking of the choice, Craig Revel Horwood said: “In all the years I’ve been doing the show since 2004, I really do not want to make this decision tonight.
“This has been one of the most amazing dance-offs I’ve ever witnessed.
“Both couples are equal and both couples deserve to go through and I just want to put both couples through.
“I know I’m not allowed to do that so I have to choose.
“I’m going on the technical side and it’s to do with clean finishes. I’d like to put through to the final, John and Johannes.”
Speaking after the decision, Rhys said: “I might not have gotten to the final but I learnt so much from just being on this show, from everyone here who’s just supported us in this new family.
“To have the time to spend with this champion of a dancer [Nancy] who’s put so much into me.
“Thank you for just letting my energy shine. Thank you for being that partner.”
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