Johannes Radebe has been the breakout star of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, and when he performs a same-sex routine on the show this weekend it will be a defining moment for the star.
Johannes - who joined the show last year before being partnered with Catherine Tyldesley on this year’s series - is set to perform with fellow pro Graziano di Prima on Sunday’s result’s show.
It’s a landmark moment in Strictly’s history - and its significance isn’t lost on Johannes who was bullied at school because of his sexuality.
He told The Sun: “I’ve always known. I’ve always been proud. I’ve always been myself, regardless of what was said to me and where I come from.
“I grew up in a country where homosexuality was frowned upon.
“The society around me pointed to me and said, ‘There’s something wrong with you.’ But Strictly has helped me be a better person and accepting of myself. When I got to the UK it was beautiful — for the first time in my life I felt liberated.”
The 32-year-old recalls one terrifying incident at school when another pupil attacked him with a baseball bat.
“I was terrified,” he said. “All I can remember was asking, ‘What have I done? What did I do to you?’ He said, ‘Well, you’re a f***** and disgusting’.
“We ended up physically fighting because when somebody comes at you with a baseball bat, I don’t think you can just stand there. It was more jealousy — I was never there at school as I was usually away dancing in competitions.
“He was not a fan of me — he was punishing me for the fact that I am what I am.”
Now Johannes says he can’t wait to get on the dance floor for his performance with his good friend Graziano to Emeli Sande’s song, Shine.
“Am I proud to be a part of that? Absolutely,” he says.
“I’m happy to be a trailblazer. It will be one of the moments where we all sit back and go, ‘This is what we’ve been waiting for’.”
This weekend saw Johannes and his celeb partner Catherine leave the competition after losing out to BBC Breakfast’s Mike Bushell in the dance-off.
When asked by host Tess Daly about her time on the show, Catherine paid tribute to Johannes.
“[Johannes], yeah, he’s like my best friend,” the actress said. “He’s just…oooh, (referring to her eye make-up) it’s waterproof… just the opportunity to work with amazing people and get critiqued off amazing people.
“I never thought I’d say this, I’m going to keep it up because I fell in love with it! I’ve loved every second, this man has changed my life!”