Former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Alex Kingston has expressed her support for her former dance partner Johannes Radebe as he steps into a new presenting role on the BBC show. Radebe will co-host alongside Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe, replacing Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman who departed after the previous series.
Alex Kingston's Encouraging Words
Speaking exclusively at the National Film Awards, the ER and Doctor Who actress said: "I'm excited for JoJo moving forward in a different direction. He's on the West End stage at the moment doing Kinky Boots, and he's amazing in it." She added a poignant observation: "A dancer's life is finite, so you've got to start as a dancer to have a plan-B in your pocket, for when that time comes to an end, which it does at some point."
Radebe's New Role on Strictly
The BBC announced earlier this year that Radebe would continue with Strictly in a fresh capacity, joining Willis and Widdicombe as presenters. The trio will take over from Daly and Winkleman, whose departure had sparked speculation about successors including Rylan Clark and Zoe Ball. Radebe expressed his excitement: "To be returning to Strictly Come Dancing in this new role is beyond anything I ever imagined. This show has always stood for joy, heart, and togetherness, and I feel deeply honoured to now help carry that magic forward. To do it alongside the formidable Emma Willis and the utterly brilliant Josh Widdicombe makes it even more special. I'm ready—sequins, nerves, and all...please bear with me. Love Jojo."
Emotional Farewell and Future Plans
Fans had feared Radebe might quit Strictly entirely after his emotional dance-off exit with Kingston. Following their elimination, Radebe told Kingston: "Thank you, because I have never grinned this much in my life, for the past couple of weeks with you. Thank you, Alex, for being a trooper. I appreciate the laughs, and I'll hold onto the memories, but as far as the dancing goes, I think we've achieved what we both wanted to achieve." He then addressed the ballroom: "To my Strictly family, I love you. I'm forever grateful. Thank you, thank you, thank you." However, Radebe later reassured fans on The Graham Norton Show: "Graham, I will do that show for as long as they will have me. I promise, I will. That is a magical, sparkling world. I love it." Currently, Radebe is starring as Lola in the West End production of Kinky Boots.
Strictly Come Dancing Returns
Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One and iPlayer later this year, with Radebe, Willis, and Widdicombe at the helm.
