One of Strictly Come Dancing‘s biggest stars has sparked fears he might quit the show after he revealed his life story is being adapted into a film.
Johannes Radebe‘s memoir titled JoJo: Finally Home last year is set to hit the big screen and the dancer has now revealed more details of the project.
Currently titled Finally Home, the film, which is being produced Arrested Industries and Helena Spring Films, will feature musical numbers choreographed by Johannes himself, but will not be an outright musical.
Anthony Kimble’s Arrested Industries and Oscar-nominated Helena Spring Films have bought up the rights and Johannes will be an executive producer on it.
Shooting is expected to take place in South Africa therefore it is so far unclear whether it will impact his time on the BBC dance show.
Strictly’s star Johannes Radebe has sparked concern he could QUIT the BBC show after landing huge movie deal
Shooting is expected to take place in South Africa therefore it is so far unclear whether it will impact his time on the BBC dance show
Johannes, 37, told Deadline: ‘Growing up gay in the townships of South Africa was not an easy ride, but there were so many good things about my life there, and it has made me the person I am today.
‘I never imagined my story would end up on the big screen, so I am greatly appreciative of this new opportunity and look forward to working closely with Helena and Anthony over the coming months.’
Meanwhile Anthony Kimble added: ‘Our ambition is to do the book – and Jojo – justice by producing a bold, colorful and thoroughly entertaining film that leaves audiences of all ages with big smiles on their faces’
Johannes is currently in rehearsals for the 20th anniversary of Strictly which is due to begin next week.
With the support of his family, Johannes became a champion ballroom dancer, and he went onto join Strictly’s professional lineup, and reached the final in 2021 with The Great British Bake Off star John Whaite.
Last year he was paired with Annabel Croft, with the couple making it all the way to the semi final after becoming firm favourites with both the public and the judges.
However originally Johannes wasn’t happy with the producers partnering choice as while Annabel was coming to terms with the death of her husband Mel, Johannes was also dealing with his own grief.
Speaking on the Table Manners podcast Johannes revealed that two weeks before the start of Strictly he buried his cousin after he took his own life.
Johannes is currently in rehearsals for the 20th anniversary of Strictly which is due to begin next week
Last year he was paired with Annabel Croft, with the couple making it all the way to the semi final after becoming firm favourites with both the public and the judges
With the support of his family, Johannes became a champion ballroom dancer, and he went onto join Strictly’s professional lineup, and reached the final in 2021 with The Great British Bake Off star John Whaite
When he was partnered with Annabel, Johannes confessed that at first he was confused by the producers decision and even toyed with the idea of asking not to have a partner that year.
He explained: ‘When they said I’m dancing with her, I was like, What are they trying to achieve? And I say that because two weeks before I started, I buried my cousin who committed suicide.
‘I didn’t feel anything, I wasn’t as excited as I normally would be, because I was like, this is supposed to be the most exciting period, I’ve just come back off a very successful tour. But I had to then go home [South Africa].
He continued: ‘I could have stayed out there for longer but after we buried him, I had to fly back to the UK and do my audiobook.
‘That was hard, and when Strictly started, I was just like, “Okay, just felt like I was going through the motions.”
‘So you can imagine when they said the partners I was just like “ok great”. I just really wanted to deal with it but you never allow yourself the time to deal with whatever you are going through in your life.
‘And yeah, they said we think that you’re the person to partner with this woman. I just said to myself, they’re reaching. I remember calling my agent, I was like, I don’t know what’s going to happen. Maybe we should say that I shouldn’t get a partner this year because I just really need some time out.’
However, despite being concerned about how Annabel’s heartache would affect his own, the pair became best pals during the process.
‘I mean, a lot of people say, “Oh Johannes, you helped Annabel” but no, Annabel helped me,’ he said.
Annabel’s husband Mel Coleman died in May of colon cancer just 16 weeks after he was diagnosed and throughout the competition the sportswoman paid tribute to just how much Johannes had helped her.
