Strictly Come Dancing professional Johannes Radebe may already be a national treasure, but he’s now officially a British citizen.
The dancer, who was born and raised in South Africa, shared the news on Instagram, telling fans: “Britain has become my belonging.”
Radebe, 38, left South Africa to move to Britain after being cast as a dancer on Strictly in 2018. He has since been partnered with seven celebrities on the show, including Bake Off’s John Whaite, who finished in second place in series 19.
Posting a video of himself being sworn in at Brent Council in London on Friday (27 February), Radebe said: “I left South Africa with a heart full of hope and a dream too big to say out loud. I didn’t know how the story would unfold, only that I was brave enough to begin it.
“Britain welcomed me. It challenged me. It shaped me. Through @bbcstrictly, I found not just a stage, but a voice and the chance to grow in front of millions. Today, I stand as a citizen of the United Kingdom. And I did not stand there alone. I was surrounded by the family I chose... people who love me, who supported me, and who gave their time and belief so I could simply get on with it.”
He added that “none of this was achieved alone” and that while his roots will always be “South African”, Britain has become his “belonging”. Radebe continued: “At my citizenship ceremony, I pledged to respect the rights and freedoms of the United Kingdom and to uphold its democratic values. Those words mean something to me.
“This is not just citizenship. It is gratitude. It is growth. It is shared sacrifice. It is proof that courage, when paired with opportunity and held up by love, can change the course of a life.
“I carry where I come from with pride. I embrace where I stand with humility. And I step forward — not just as a dancer, not just as a performer but as someone who dared to begin, and was welcomed enough to become.”
Radebe’s Strictly co-stars flooded the comment section with congratulatory messages. “Lucky us,” 2018 winner Stacey Dooley wrote, while It Takes Two host Janette Manrara commented: “Amazing news my beautiful friend!!”
“Knighthood next,” fellow professional Neil Jones wrote, while 2021 contestant Adam Peaty said: “And you did it in great style, congratulations.”
In the video, Radebe is seen wearing a white suit and cape as he attends his swearing-in ceremony with friends. At one point, he is seen wiping tears from his eyes before heading for a celebratory lunch at a Hilton hotel.
In 2024, Radebe revealed that he had taken the Life in the UK test in preparation to become a British citizen after months of studying and passed. “I got out of there thinking I might be deported,” he told The Guardian.
The professional dancer was born in Zamdela, South Africa and has opened up in the past about being bullied over his sexuality as a child. “I was terrified. All I can remember was asking, ‘What have I done? What did I do to you?” he told The Sun in 2019. “He said, ‘Well, you’re a f***** and disgusting.’”
He began ballroom dancing at the age of nine, going on to win the Professional South African Latin championships twice. After a stint on South Africa’s versions of Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing with the Stars, he joined Strictly in the UK in 2018. Over the years, he has been paired with Coronation Street’s Catherine Tyldesley, actor Caroline Quentin, comedian Ellie Taylor, tennis player Annabel Croft, Gladiators star Montell Douglas and most recently, Doctor Who’s Alex Kingston.
Earlier in February, Radebe spoke out about his future on the show after fans began speculating that he may be leaving this year. It came after he gave an emotional farewell speech when both he and Kingston were voted off, saying: “To my Strictly family, I’m forever grateful. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Speaking on The Graham Norton Show, Radebe said: “I will do that show for as long as they will have me. It’s a magical sparkling world. I love it.”
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