Strictly Come Dancing star Johannes Radebe is reportedly set to join telly favourite Emma Willis as the second presenter of the BBC dancing competition
Strictly Come Dancing star ‘to join Emma Willis as new presenter’(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Ray Burmiston)
A Strictly Come Dancing star is set to become the latest presenter. Fan favourite Johannes Radebe is being lined up to join telly star Emma Willis as the next dynamic duo to front the show.
It’s claimed that Johannes, whose nickname is JoJo, left bosses with no other option but to sign him up after the recent auditions to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
Since Tess and Claudia announced their departure, the show’s bosses have been scrambling to find a replacement, with dozens of familiar faces lining up to audition for the role. Emma Willis was one of the top choices, with sources saying she “nailed the chemistry tests and the BBC adore her”.
And Johannes is so well-liked that even the celebrities are saying the job is as good as his. A source told The Sun: “During the chemistry tests he was paired up with every other celeb and did incredibly well. They all think he would be the perfect partner for Emma.”
A source went on to explain that while the professional dancers have already been announced, including Johannes, that doesn’t mean he won’t get the promotion. His role, according to sources, is currently being figured out after bosses were said to be considering bringing in three new people.
Johannes could even be a roving reporter for the show. “He knows the dances better than anyone and is incredibly popular with Strictly fans,” the source said. They added: “Whether he’s going to be a host like Emma or take a slightly different presenting role is being ironed out.”
The South African-born star joined the BBC show in 2018 and, since then, has danced with the likes of Annabel Croft, Catherine Tyldesley and Alex Kingston. He and John Waite became the first same-sex partnership to reach the live final in 2021.
Meanwhile, Josh Widdicombe is also reportedly still being considered as a presenter for the programme. An announcement is expected in the coming days.
Zoe Ball, who had been a firm front-runner for the job, recently said she was “grieving” after missing out. Zoe competed on the show in 2005, before returning in 2011 to front Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two, until she departed in 2020.
In the latest episode of her Dig It podcast, Zoe put on a brave face as she said she was thrilled to be “in the mix” of presenters who were invited to audition. “I didn’t get it, but it’s okay,” said Zoe. “I have worked through the seven stages of grief and rejection over the last couple of days. I was so chuffed to even be in the mix. There were some pretty amazing people who didn’t even make it into the mix.
“So I made it in the mix, and I had a really fun time having one last little play at a show that I love and adore. And I’m so thrilled for the gang that has got it. I think there’s been so many eyes on this whole process, everyone’s quite relieved now that a decision has been made and the right decision has been made.” She added that the show was in “safe hands”.
Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.