Strictly’s Johannes Radebe shares emotional post after family banned from UK and miss his opening night
STRICTLY Come Dancing’s Johannes Radebe has shared an emotional message after his family were banned from entering the UK.
Johannes, 37, was left heartbroken after learning his mother Jacobeth and his siblings were unable to attend the opening night of his new show.
The professional dancer had hoped to have his relatives in the audience at the iconic London Palladium as he kicked off his tour House Of JoJo.
But Johannes told the audience that “visa issues” had meant they were unable to travel to the UK to see him perform.
The star, who is from poverty-stricken Zamdela, South Africa, has now reflected on his big night and thanked his fans for their kind words.
Taking to Instagram, Johannes shared a photograph of himself, his former Strictly Come Dancing partner Annabel Croft and the rest of the cast during the finale.
Writing alongside it, he poignantly wrote: “For a moment like this…
_______________ Thank you for the love and support. xxx.”
Replying Annabel told her close friend: “Huge congratulations on realising your childhood dream and selling out two shows @thelondonpalladium – it was a spectacular show and an honour to have been on stage dancing with you 
.”
An audience member, meanwhile, told Johannes: “Superb. Spectacular. Amazing. I was so lucky to see your show. What an amazing man Johannes. May you keep flying and achieving you so deserve it .”
And another added: “The show was incredible, such a talented cast and you were a sensation! Thank you all for a wonderful evening x.”
Johannes first revealed his family’s struggles while on stage in London.
The TV star, whose relatives supported his ballroom dreams despite their poverty in South Africa, told the crowd: “I was hoping that they were going to be here this evening, but [they can’t] because of visa issues.”
Choking up, he continued: “Don’t even start.
“But it’s fine, she’ll make it to Liverpool.”
It comes as Rishi Sunak introduced tougher visa rules in his five-step plan to curb immigration.
Johannes is joined in his show by Annabel, who he was partnered with during last year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
The pair bonded during the show as they were both struggling to live through grief.
Annabel had not long since lost her husband Mel, while Johannes was mourning the loss of his cousin, who had taken his own life. His funeral took place just two weeks before training began.
Johannes, who moved to Britain in 2018 after doing two seasons of Strictly Come Dancing South Africa, was initially wary of the partnership.
He told the Table Manners podcast: “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.
Meanwhile, fears have begun to grow that Johannes could be the next professional to quit Strictly Come Dancing.
Panic was sparked when Johannes excitedly announced that he had been cast in Kinky Boots, which will be touring the UK and Ireland in 2025.
Fans are concerned he won’t be able to juggle rehearsals for Kinky Boots with Strictly rehearsals, so will bow out of the BBC One show.
