Strictly Come Dancing is well into its milestone 20th series, with week seven of the competition approaching.
One professional who has been a fan-favourite since making his debut six years ago is Johannes Radebe, but it seems the 37-year-old is poised to quit the show following the current series.
It’s been reported the South African dancer has decided to step away from the BBC competition.
Radebe made his debut on the iconic dancefloor back in 2018, and has built a strong following with his calm nature and friendly approach.
The choreographer is set to perform in Kinky Boots the Musical at the start of 2025, and is reported to be turning his life story into a movie.
His schedule is thought to be packed out, as he’s due to perform in more than 200 shows in 25 different cities across the UK and Ireland.
Johannes Radebe found himself in last week’s BBC Strictly dance-off
BBC
Reports cite his reasons for leaving the show as the dancer becoming “overwhelmed” with his workload.
A source commented: “Johannes is hugely loved on the show and there isn’t an atom of bad feeling about him leaving.
“Both he and the show’s bosses realise he is overwhelmed with work as a result of his soaring popularity and wish him all the best.”
Speaking to The Sun, they continued: “But nobody can ever get so big that they continually take up too much limelight – the star of the show must always be the show itself.”
Johannes Radebe is reportedly ‘leaving’ the show after the current series
BBC
It’s understood the Strictly door to Radebe is expected to be left open.
“It isn’t just the announced projects that he’s working on, there are other opportunities in the pipeline too, which he can now explore further,” the source concluded.
GB News has contacted Radebe’s representatives for a comment on the reports.
This series has seen the dancer impressing alongside Olympian and Gladiators star Montell Douglas.
Despite nearing the top of the leaderboard on several weeks, the duo found themselves in the dreaded dance-off in week seven.
It occurred during Icon Week, so in a battle to remain in the competition the two performed once again their tribute to Whitney Houston, an emotional Waltz to her classic hit, I Will Always Love You.
Johannes Radebe was comforted by BBC Strictly partner Montell DOuglas when they found themselves in the dance-off
BBC
The judges decided to save the pair, meaning Sam Quek and Nikita Kuzmin had to bid farewell to the competition.
Reflecting on the moment in Strictly spin-off show It Takes Two on Tuesday, Radebe admitted he “cried,” and was comforted by Douglas, who unleashed her competitive spirit as she returned to the dance floor.
The Strictly star admitted he was “really, really sad” when he learned he and Douglas would be facing the dance-off.
He went on to confess: “I found myself crumbling at the thought of not being in the same room with her (Douglas) on Monday and figuring out a dance.”
Explaining he “cried” on the night, he recalled how it was Douglas who tuned into her sporting background to support him.