‘I was punched many times and called a sissy’: Strictly pro Johannes Radebe details his ‘horrid’ time enduring homophobic abuse at the hands of vile bullies while at school in South Africa

Strictly Come Dancing pro Johannes Radebe has opened up about his ‘horrid’ time at school in South Africa where he endured homophobic physical and verbal abuse.

The 35-year-old professional dancer has been open about his sexuality during his time on the hit BBC competition and was chosen for Strictly’s first same-sex couple alongside baker John Whaite in 2021.

But growing up in the township of Zamdela, near Johannesburg, Johannes said he had to ‘duck and dive’ from the bullies who would call him a ‘sissy boy’ and ‘punch’ him ‘many times’.

Speaking to The Guardian about his latest solo venture, a tour called Freedom Unleashed, Johannes explained that despite the bad times he was still ‘covered with love’ from his mother.

He said: ‘I had to duck and dive. School was horrid. They [the bullies] used to say to me, “Oh, sissy boy!”‘

Open: Strictly Come Dancing pro Johannes Radebe has opened up about his ‘horrid’ time at school in South Africa where he endured homophobic physical and verbal abuse

The dancer added that if he got far away enough, he would hit them back with a sassy reply: ‘But if I was close by I would have been punched, which I was many times.’

Johannes also added that he still has friends living in his native South Africa who still endure homophobic abuse and that he is happy to be living in the UK.

‘You guys have a long way to go still, but people make space for one another to coexist,’ he added.

Last year, Johannes revealed that he’s ready for a relationship after struggling with ‘internalised homophobia’.

The pro opened up about his love life on Loose Women where he fought back tears as he revealed how he spent years ‘hating’ himself. 

During a candid chat, Johannes admitted that he had only recently had a conversation about his sexuality with his mum.

The conversation prompted Kate Adams to ask the choreographer if he was interested in dating anyone: ‘Are you ready for love in your life?’ she asked.

Johannes replied: ‘Oh absolutely! I’m ready for love in my life,

Upbringing: Growing up in the township of Zamdela, near Johannesburg, Johannes said he had to ‘duck and dive’ from the bullies who would call him a ‘sissy boy’ and ‘punch’ him ‘many times’ (pictured as a teenager)

Youngster: Speaking to The Guardian about his latest solo venture, a tour called Freedom Unleashed, Johannes explained that despite the bad times he was still ‘covered with love’ from his mother (pictured as a child)

Nadia Sawalha then questioned the performer: ‘But you haven’t been before have you, do you feel you’ve arrived there now?’

Johannes replied: ‘I feel like I have, I blame it on internalised homophobia and the fact that I have hated myself for such a long time.

‘So I’m in a better place. I also deserve some love.’ 

During the 2021 series of the BBC ballroom show, Johannes made history with Bake Off’s John Whaite as the programme’s first ever male same sex couple. 

He quipped about his friend: ‘I love how they make them in Wigan. I have fallen in love with an art form again.’ 

Star: During the 2021 series of the BBC ballroom show, Johannes made history with Bake Off’s John Whaite as the programme’s first ever male same sex couple

Johannes previously revealed he has felt more comfortable speaking with his mother about his sexuality since his on-screen partnership with John.

The TV personality confessed he had never addressed the subject with his parent due to her ‘conservative’ views.

He began: ‘What happened between John and I last year really changed my relationship with my mother – for the first time, we can speak about my sexuality openly.

‘There was no problem but it was something that we never addressed, it was something we never spoke about.

The South Africa native continued: ‘You know with African people, very conservative, and I respect that still, but it is nice the way it is now.’

Home: Johannes also added that he still has friends living in his native South Africa who still endure homophobic abuse and that he is happy to be living in the UK

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