{"id":44894,"date":"2024-01-31T15:52:17","date_gmt":"2024-01-31T14:52:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1983586"},"modified":"2024-01-31T16:47:54","modified_gmt":"2024-01-31T15:47:54","slug":"johannes-radebe-praises-inclusivity-the-worlds-learning-from-strictly","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/johannes-radebe-praises-inclusivity-the-worlds-learning-from-strictly\/","title":{"rendered":"Johannes Radebe praises inclusivity: \u2018The world\u2019s learning from Strictly\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Radebe was one half of the first same-sex male couple on the show in 2021. <\/p>

By Katelyn Mensah\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 31 January 2024 at 14:52 PM<\/p>

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Professional dancer Johannes Radebe has praised Strictly Come Dancing<\/a> for its inclusivity and representation on screen in recent years.<\/p>\n

The competition series made waves back in 2020 after featuring its first celebrity same-sex couple, which saw Nicola Adams and Katya Jones paired together, and the following year the show made history with its introduction of the first same-sex male couple with John Whaite and Johannes Radebe.<\/p>\n

In the most recent season, viewers saw Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin paired together as they cha-cha\u2019d their way to the final in a phenomenal competition, and Radebe is \u201cproud\u201d to be a part of the show that recognises how diverse the world is.<\/p>\n

Speaking to RadioTimes.com<\/a> at the Radio Times Covers Party 2024<\/strong>, Radebe explained: \u201cI think Strictly is one the shows that shows the entire world how [to be] progressive in terms of inclusion and I\u2019m proud to be a part of an establishment that recognises that it takes all sorts to make the world go round and they\u2019re great.\u201d<\/p>\n

The professional dancer went on to say that the \u201cworld is learning\u201d from Strictly, adding: \u201cWe are the ones that are teaching the world, so honestly so far I\u2019m happy!\u201d<\/p>

Strictly Come Dancing has continued to make room for people showing their true selves on the dance floor, with 2023 finalist Layton Williams previously praising the show for allowing him to be \u201cflamboyant\u201d<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ahead of the final last year, Williams told RadioTimes.com<\/strong> and other press he wanted to wear costumes on Strictly that were \u201cfabulous and authentic\u201d to what he wanted to represent, and felt as though he managed to do that on the show.<\/p>\n

\"Layton\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin. BBC\/Guy Levy<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption> BBC\/Guy Levy<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

\u201cIn order to have fun, I really needed to be true to exactly how I felt,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

Williams said: \u201cThe Strictly team have been so fabulous because sometimes I think it might be a first for them to have someone who\u2019s been excessively flamboyant.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd they\u2019ve really gotten behind me. I\u2019ll be like, \u2018I want to wear that cheeky little moment\u2019 and they\u2019ll be like, \u2018OK cool, if that\u2019s how you feel comfortable\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n