Viewers of Strictly Come Dancing have been left with a strong suspicion that beloved professional dancer Johannes Radebe may be departing the BBC show for good.
An Emotional Goodbye Sparks Speculation
The speculation erupted during the results show on Sunday 30 November 2025, after Radebe and his celebrity partner, actor Alex Kingston, were voted off the competition. In a moving speech thanking Kingston, Radebe, 38, appeared to bid farewell to the programme itself.
"Goodbye to my Strictly family," he stated, before adding, "To my Strictly family, I'm very grateful." He looked towards his fellow professionals, with dancer Carlos Gu heard shouting "we love you" in response. Radebe told Kingston, a star of ER and Doctor Who, that he had "never grinned as much" in his life as during their time on the show and would "hold on to the memories."
A Pioneering Strictly Career
Johannes Radebe, affectionately known as 'Jojo', joined the UK version of Strictly in 2018, having previously been a professional on the South African edition. His first celebrity partner was Catherine Tyldesley in 2019, and he has since been paired with stars including Caroline Quentin, Ellie Taylor, Annabel Croft, and most recently, Alex Kingston.
His most groundbreaking moment came in 2021, when he was part of the show's first-ever same-sex couple with John Whaite, winner of The Great British Bake Off. The duo became instant fan favourites. In 2023, Whaite revealed he had fallen in love with Radebe during their time together, a revelation Radebe later addressed by emphasising the platonic nature of their connection.
What Happens Next for Jojo?
Following the elimination, Alex Kingston, who called Radebe a "friend for life", expressed pride in lasting longer in the competition than she had dreamed. For now, the BBC has not commented on Radebe's future, leaving his poignant words as the only clue. Fans will be anxiously awaiting official confirmation about whether this popular professional has indeed danced his last routine on the Strictly floor.
