Johannes Radebe in tears on stage as Kinky Boots cast congratulates him on landing Strictly host job
On Tuesday (19.05.26), Johannes Radebe cried as his Kinky Boots co-stars gathered on stage and congratulated him for getting the prestigious Strictly Come Dancing presenter job, hours after the BBC confirmed his signing, alongside Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe.
Johannes Radebe broke down in tears on stage as the Kinky Boots cast congratulated him on landing the prestigious Strictly Come Dancing presenting job.
On Tuesday (19.05.26), the 39-year-old star was confirmed as the new face of the BBC Latin and Ballroom dance competition alongside Emma Willis, 50 and 43-year-old Josh Widdicombe.
Hours after the announcement, the cast of Kinky Boots - in which Johannes plays drag queen Lola until July 11 - gathered for the curtain call before Matt Cardle told the crowd his co-star's new job and was handed flowers, which made Johannes cry.
In a TikTok video, The X Factor 2010 winner Matt, 43, said: "Today, we officially announce that Johannes will be stepping into an incredibly exciting new role, as the presenter of the next series of Strictly Come Dancing!"
As the audience cheered, the When We Collide hitmaker then gave some touching words about Johannes, which left him overcome with emotion.
Matt said: "Being yourself is your greatest strength. We know the audience across the country will fall in love with you even more, just as all of us who know you have already done that."
Johannes wept as his Kinky Boots co-star Annell Odartey presented him with a bouquet of flowers.
As the applause continued, Matt added: "We are so proud of you!"
The BBC confirmed that Johannes, Emma and Josh will preside over Strictly Come Dancing when the 2026 series begins in September.
And Johannes - who has been a pro on the programme since 2018 - feels "deeply honoured" to have landed the hosting job, following the departures of Tess Daly, 57, and Claudia Winkleman, 54, at the end of the 2025 season in December.
He said: "To be returning to Strictly Come Dancing in this new role is beyond anything I ever imagined. This show has always stood for joy, heart, and togetherness, and I feel deeply honoured to now help carry that magic forward.
"To do it alongside the formidable Emma Willis and the utterly brilliant Josh Widdicombe makes it even more special. I’m ready-sequins, nerves, and all...please bear with me. Love Jojo."
Emma cannot "quite comprehend" that Strictly Come Dancing bosses picked her for the hotly contested role, following auditions last month with the likes of Zoe Ball, 55, Rylan Clark, 37, and 42-year-old Angela Scanlon.
She said: "It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Strictly - I’ve cheered and danced along from my sofa for years - so to be stepping into the Strictly ballroom is something I can’t quite comprehend.
"It’s impossible to fill the shoes that Tess and Claudia have left behind - two wonderful, iconic women who have been the beating heart of Strictly for so long.
"I can only hope that we are able to help to steer the ship as beautifully as they have, into this new chapter. I can’t wait to spend my weekends with Josh and Jojo, the incredible dancers and the judges. Fingers crossed for a 10 from them!"
Josh took part in the 2024 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special, and he feels "overawed" to now be co-fronting the programme.
The comic said: "Dancing the Charleston dressed as a penguin for the 2024 Christmas Special of Strictly remains my career high point, so I am giddy with excitement, honoured and a little overawed to be given the chance to step into the biggest shoes in television.
"I adore Emma and Jojo and can’t wait to spend my weekends with them. I’ll dust off the penguin costume."
