‘PEOPLE FINALLY ACCEPT ME FOR WHO I AM’

The pro loves a pair of killer heels

Kelvin Fletcher may have lifted the trophy, but last year’s Strictly belonged to one man only: Johannes Radebe. Once relegated to backing dancer, he finally stepped into the spotlight, earning his first celebrity partner, Catherine Tyldesley. But it was his pro dances that really rocked the nation, from owning the stage in a pair of four-inch heels, to making Strictly history by dancing in the show’s first same-sex routine.

Sitting down with heat, Johannes dazzles us with his wardrobe (a Michelle Visage graphic tee, heeled boots and a bright red hat) and his new-found self-belief…

Will you be donning your heels again on tour? Babe, I don’t go anywhere without them! I’ll bring them in case. You’re a natural in them! I used to try to fit into my sister’s and my mum’s shoes, but I’m a size 11! But then I had some custom-made for my feet, and they felt a little less uncomfortable, so I was like, “Let’s take this up a notch.” But I surprised myself – walking in them is one thing, but dancing and doing flying kicks and back bends is crazy. How does it feel to now be a national treasure? You know, it’s humbling and very liberating. For the longest time, I doubted myself and thought that maybe I was too much – a bit too flamboyant. It’s so lovely to be on this platform and have people accept me for who I am. Finally, what’s your secret to being so fabulous? Darling, just always be authentic. Don’t try to hide – the moment you do that, people see right through it. ■