BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Johannes Radebe breaks silence on rumours he's set to quit

Strictly Come Dancing's Johannes Radebe has now addressed speculation that he's preparing to quit the BBC dance show at the end of the latest series after joining in 2018

Professional dancer Johannes Radebe has now addressed speculation this week that he's preparing to quit Strictly Come Dancing at the end of the latest series.

Johannes, 37, has become a fan favourite on the BBC show since joining the line-up of dancers in 2018. He's partnered with Gladiators star Montell Douglas, 38, this year and they're among the remaining pairs in the competition.

Earlier this week, there were reports that Johannes is planning to leave Strictly next year to pursue other opportunities. It comes following the news that he will lead the cast of Kinky Boots: the Musical on its UK and Ireland tour from January to July, and he's also thought to be working on a film adaptation of his memoir, JoJo: Finally Home.

Johannes has now addressed the speculation in a post on Instagram, with him dismissing the suggestion that he's set to leave the BBC show. Alongside a screenshot of an article referencing the speculation, he wrote to his followers: "I'm not going nowhere! The story isnt true - I love @bbcstrictly and I want to do this beautiful show for as long as they want me - and the body will allow. I have Kinky Boots and other work in the pipeline yes but nothing will take me away. Love you all Jojo Xx."

The post also included footage of Johannes at a rehearsal with Montell, in which he said: "I'm going nowhere. Nowhere. It's a lie." Johannes also shared the post on his Instagram Story, adding: "I'm going nowhere ... lies."

It comes after a source the Sun, as previously reported: "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. 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."

The source went on to explain that the door is expected to be left open for Johannes to return in the future and claimed that he has "too much to juggle" alongside Strictly. They said that it isn't just the announced projects he's working on as there are "other opportunities in the pipeline too".

Johannes joined Strictly back in 2018 and has since been partnered with celebrities like John Whaite and Annabel Croft, whom he placed second and fourth with respectively.

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