All posts tagged: Dancing

Johannes Radebe Has A Message For Strictly Come Dancing Fans Concerned About His New Role

Johannes Radebe Has A Message For Strictly Come Dancing Fans Concerned About His New Role

Published by Sam Flores

Johannes Radebe Johannes Radebe is opening up about his upcoming role as one Strictly Come Dancing’s new presenters. The South African performer, who joined the BBC dance show as one of its resident pros in 2018, was announced last week as part of its new hosting team, alongside TV personality Emma Willis and comedian Josh Widdicombe. Johannes has become a fan favourite since taking to the ballroom, thanks to his partnerships with celebs like chef John Whaite, tennis player Annabel Croft and actor Alex Kingston. So, the news about his new role has left his fans understandably concerned about whether or not they’ll get to see him dancing on this year’s series. Fortunately, Johannes has now assured them that they needn’t have worried. Speaking to his new co-star Emma on her Radio 2 show, Johannes insisted that he is “not hanging up” his dancing shoes just yet. “I will definitely be throwing some shapes and moving my hips,” he enthused. “I can’t not, that’s my life. For it to be just taken away would be …

Billy Idol Makes Empowering Speech Performs Dancing With Myself

Billy Idol Makes Empowering Speech Performs Dancing With Myself

Published by Daniella Wilson

Billy Idol was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the 2026 American Music Awards on Monday night. The “White Wedding” singer and bona fide ‘80s rock icon, who was spotted in the audience by host Queen Latifah early in the show, gave an empowering acceptance speech and soon mesmerized the crowd with a medley of “Eyes Without a Face” and “Dancing With Myself.” He was accompanied by his longtime songwriting collaborator and guitarist Steve Stevens, who’s been by his side since the ‘80s. “When I started out in punk rock back in 1976, we thought it may only last about six months — let alone 50 years,” Idol told the audience. “We were doing it for the love. We were doing it for the love and because music was the only thing that gave us a sort of feeling of freedom, a sense of freedom. We believed in what we were doing and we thought maybe if we just dreamed into this life and gave it everything we had, it would give it all …

Johannes Radebe's 11 Most Iconic Moments In The Strictly Come Dancing Ballroom

Johannes Radebe's 11 Most Iconic Moments In The Strictly Come Dancing Ballroom

Published by Sam Flores

Johannes Radebe is one of Strictly Come Dancing’s new hosts After years as one of Strictly Come Dancing’s most beloved dancers, Johannes Radebe is joining the show’s presenting team for the 2026 series. Earlier this week, Johannes was announced as one of Strictly’s three new hosts alongside TV personality Emma Willis and comedian Josh Widdicombe, marking a huge step for the South African performer, who joined the show in 2018. During his time as a Strictly pro, he has been partnered with Catherine Tyldesley, Caroline Quentin, Ellie Taylor, and Annabel Croft, perhaps most notably getting to the finale in the show’s first all-male partnership with chef John Whaite in 2021. Since his debut, the dancer affectionately known to viewers as Jojo has become a fan favourite, thanks to his creative dance routines, beaming smile and gentle demeanour. As he gears up for the next stage of his Strictly career, we’re looking back at some of Johannes’ highlights from his time on the show… Johannes storms the stage in heels for a stunning group performance (2019) …

What Else Did Emma Willis Host Before Strictly Come Dancing?

What Else Did Emma Willis Host Before Strictly Come Dancing?

Published by Sam Flores

Emma Willis has now been a staple on British TV for more than 20 years. The presenter is best known for hosting shows like Big Brother, The Voice and The Circle, and was recently introduced to a more international audience when she and her husband Matt Willis began presenting Netflix’s British iteration of the dating series Love Is Blind. It’s now been announced that she’s landed the biggest gig of her career, as she’s just been unveiled as one of the new hosts of Strictly Come Dancing, taking over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. But while you’ve probably watched Emma on some of the UK’s biggest reality shows over the years, there are plenty of other presenting gigs throughout her extensive resume you might have completely forgotten about. Here are the ones we dug through the archives to find… The Hot Desk (2008) Emma got her start on music TV in the early 2000s, presenting segments for MTV as well as the UK version of the iconic TRL. In 2008, Emma joined another British …

‘Not hanging up my dancing shoes’

‘Not hanging up my dancing shoes’

Published by Daniella Wilson

On Tuesday, months of speculation ended as the BBC confirmed that Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe would all be the hosts of the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing. However, the move is a bittersweet one for fans of the South African-born dancer who would have been looking forward to seeing him perform on the show. However, appearing on BBC Radio 2 alongside his new co-hosts, Johannes confirmed that fans would still be able to watch him dance on the show, even though it won’t be with a celebrity partner. Johannes said questions about his dancing future on the show were the main ones that he had received, and Emma confirmed she would be “bereft” if the pro dancer stopped performing. In response, the 39-year-old said: “No, listen, I’m not hanging [up] my dancing shoes yet. I’m not, I’m not. I will definitely be throwing some shapes and moving my hips. I can’t [not]. That’s my life. WATCH: Meet the new hosts of Strictly Come Dancing He continued: “For it to be just taken …

Zoe Ball explains why she’s ‘glad’ she didn’t get Strictly Come Dancing hosting role

Zoe Ball explains why she’s ‘glad’ she didn’t get Strictly Come Dancing hosting role

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Zoe Ball has said she’s glad she didn’t get the job as Strictly’s new host as she “doesn’t need to have a facelift now”. The radio host, 55, was in the running to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman on the BBC series, but last week, Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe were revealed to be the new faces of the show. Ball has now opened up about the audition process, revealing that she screen tested with Widdcombe, whom she described as hilarious. Zoe Ball missed out on ‘Strictly’ hosting role (Getty Images) “He is going to be so good,” she said on her Dig It! podcast. “Emma is just gorgeous and I love Johannes, so they are going to ace it.” She said she is “thrilled” for the trio, calling their hiring the right decision. She told Dig It! …

New Strictly Come Dancing presenters make first public debut as trio

New Strictly Come Dancing presenters make first public debut as trio

Published by Daniella Wilson

New Strictly Come Dancing hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe made their public debut as a trio with a visit to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The annual event, hosted by the Royal Horticultural Society, is taking place this week at Royal Hospital Chelsea, showcasing the best and most beautiful floral garden designs as spring comes into full bloom. Emma, Josh and Johannes, who will be stepping into the shoes of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman when Strictly returns later this year, looked dazzling as they joined in on the fun. Posing for photos, Johannes – who arrived in a perfectly on-theme sheer top decorated with flowers – scooped up Josh in his arms as Emma laughed and cheered them on. They later posed with guests who are attending the event on the grounds of the hospital’s Great Pavilion, as well as the famous Chelsea Pensioners, who dressed for the occasion in their classic red uniform. Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe pose with a Chelsea pensioner Ollie Dixon / @olliedixonphoto The trio …

Who Is Strictly Come Dancing 2026’s New Host Josh Widdicombe?

Who Is Strictly Come Dancing 2026’s New Host Josh Widdicombe?

Published by Sam Flores

To many, the news that Josh Widdicombe is set to take over as the new host of Strictly Come Dancing may have come as a bolt from the blue. Later this year, the comedian will take over at the helm of Strictly alongside TV personality Emma Willis and professional dancer Johannes Radebe, marking the first time the series has been fronted by a team of three. At this point, Josh has been a fixture on our screens for almost 15 years – known for his work on comedy panel shows, presenting podcasts and as one of the resident hosts of The Last Leg. But if you’re not as familiar with Strictly’s new addition’s career as you’d like to be, allow us to bring you up to speed…. Before he got his start in comedy, Josh Widdicombe pursued a career in journalism After graduating from uni with a degree in linguistics and sociology, Josh got himself a job in the book shop Waterstones’ children’s department, before pursuing a master’s degree in magazine journalism. “I then moved …

New Strictly Come Dancing presenters make first public appearance as trio at Chelsea Flower Show

New Strictly Come Dancing presenters make first public appearance as trio at Chelsea Flower Show

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter The new presenting line-up for Strictly Come Dancing made their inaugural public appearance as a trio at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show on Friday. Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe, who were announced as the new faces of the hit BBC dancing competition earlier this week, were all smiles during their visit to the London garden event. Willis, sporting a white waistcoat and matching trousers, was pictured beaming and posing for photographs alongside her co-hosts, comedian Widdicombe and professional dancer Radebe. Widdicombe was seen in a long-sleeved shirt and black trousers, despite the warm conditions, while Radebe showcased a distinctive see-through black top adorned with red flowers, paired with green flared trousers. One image captured Radebe lifting Widdicombe, with Willis gesturing beside them. Comedian Widdicombe later shared snaps from the day to his 500,000 Instagram followers, and wrote: “Lovely day …

Rylan Clark ‘cries’ in hilarious reaction video to missing out on BBC Strictly Come Dancing job

Rylan Clark ‘cries’ in hilarious reaction video to missing out on BBC Strictly Come Dancing job

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Some of the biggest names in British broadcasting have been left disappointed by Strictly Come Dancing revealing its new presenting line-up – but Rylan Clark is handling in the best way possible. The 37-year-old posted a jokey video of himself crying after it was announced on Tuesday that former professional dancer Johannes Radebe, comedian Josh Widdecombe and presenter Emma Willis would be presenting the BBC dancing show from its 2026 series. Writing in an Instagram post, Clark said: “Just wanted to say as it was reported I was in ‘the race’ for strictly, the biggest congrats to my Emma and equal congrats to Johannes and Josh. You’re all going to have the best time. Made up for yous. “This wasn’t my time sadly but am extremely grateful to even have been considered. I’m taking the news really well (see next slide) …