Strictly Come Dancing's Johannes Radebe has confirmed he isn't 'hanging up his dancing shoes just yet' after landing a presenting role on the beloved show. Earlier this week, the BBC confirmed Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes as successors to Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. The announcement came after the South African star, 39, had already been confirmed as one of the returning professional dancers for the next series.
Behind the Scenes Excitement
In a behind-the-scenes clip posted on Strictly's Instagram story, Johannes and new co-star Josh, 43, discussed their excitement. The Last Leg star Josh said: 'It doesn't feel real.' To which Johannes replied: 'You're telling me, you're telling me.'
Josh went on: 'Jojo, how you feeling about not being part of that dancing team and having to interview them?' Johannes responded: 'Listen, I'm not hanging up my dancing shoes as yet. That I'm definitely not doing. I mean, I cannot. What is my life without a Cha Cha Cha?' Josh joked: 'Oh, I feel the same. That's how I feel every morning.'
In another clip, the pair and fellow new host Emma, 50, shared their anticipation. Josh remarked: 'Genuinely, this is the most exciting thing in my life that I've ever kept to myself. Can't wait.' Emma added: 'I still can't find the words because my tummy is flipping consistently. I would imagine it's how you feel when you know you've got to walk down the stairs dancing the cha cha! And like everything goes to jelly. That's how I feel thinking about what we're about to do.' Johannes said: 'It's petrifying but I can't tell you how exciting it is.'
Emma later commented: 'We're going to laugh a lot, aren't we? Just lots of laughing.' Josh agreed: 'Just laugh our way through it.'
Josh's Self-Deprecating Humour
The final clip featured Josh by himself, as he spoke about new colleagues Emma and Johannes. He said: 'I've just realised I've been booked to present something with two of the most striking people on television and I look like me. Absolute disaster. Emma is like one of the great TV hosts of our generation. And Johannes is one of the great dancers of our generation. And I'm here as well. I'm looking forward to the first episode because I think it will be the only episode in the history of Strictly where the presenters are more nervous than the dancers. It's going to be great.'
Official Confirmation
On Tuesday, news of the trio's hiring was confirmed on Strictly's official Instagram page, with the group coming together. The caption read: 'It's official….September 2026.' In the video, Emma and Johannes kissed each other on the cheek as they sat on stools, before Josh was invited over to join them.
'It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Strictly – I've cheered and danced along from my sofa for years – so to be stepping into the Strictly ballroom is something I can't quite comprehend,' said Emma of her new role. 'It's impossible to fill the shoes that Tess and Claudia have left behind – two wonderful, iconic women who have been the beating heart of Strictly for so long. I can only hope that we are able to help to steer the ship as beautifully as they have, into this new chapter.' She added: 'I can't wait to spend my weekends with Josh and Jojo, the incredible dancers and the judges. Fingers crossed for a 10 from them!'
Josh, who is a fan of the show and competed as a contestant on the 2024 Christmas Special, said he was 'giddy with excitement' to have won a presenting slot. 'Dancing the Charleston dressed as a penguin for the 2024 Christmas Special of Strictly remains my career high point, so I am giddy with excitement, honoured and a little overawed to be given the chance to step into the biggest shoes in television,' he said. 'I adore Emma and Jojo and can't wait to spend my weekends with them. I'll dust off the penguin costume.'
Johannes said that being given the opportunity to host was 'beyond anything I ever imagined'. He said the long-running show 'has always stood for joy, heart, and togetherness', and he feels 'deeply honoured to now help carry that magic forward'. He added: '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.'
Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One and iPlayer.
