Entertainment
Strictly Come Dancing 2021: Excited fans’ hearts are full as John Whaite and Johannes Radebe make history
John and Johannes delighted fans (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA)
Fans were delighted on Saturday as John Whaite and Johannes Radebe were unveiled as Strictly Come Dancing’s first all-male partnership.
Great British Bake Off star John was confirmed as being one half of the first male couple ahead of the series 19 launch.
Talking with co-host Tess Daly on the show, John described it as both a ‘privilege’ and an ‘honour’ to be in his position.
‘I think if I’d seen two lads or lasses in this position when I was a little lad, life would have been that bit easier so thank you for letting me be a part of it,’ he said.
In their pre-recorded meeting, Johannes hid inside a big cake to jump out and surprise John – although it sounds like the baker had a pretty good idea of who to expect.
He revealed: ‘When I saw it was a big sparkly cake, I thought, “Oh come on, it’s got to be Johannes” and when he popped out of it I was blown away, it means the world to me.’
John and Johannes are Strictly’s first male couple (Picture: BBC/PA)
As pro dancer Johannes eyed up John’s potential, he proclaimed John to have rhythm, adding: ‘And that’s all I can ever ask for.’
Fans were also sure they had received all they could ask for when it came to John and Johannes’ partnership.
‘Seeing John and Johannes together makes my cold heart melt,’ wrote one, while another simply remarked: ‘John and Johannes. My heart.’
A third stated: ‘Johannes and John already have my heart without dancing a step.’
Another fan implored Strictly to ‘just give Johannes and John the glitterball now’ while one proclaimed: ‘Johannes and John are the iconic duo we’ve been waiting for!’
Bake Off alumnus Michael Chakraverty also tuned in to see John paired up, using a crown emoji to illustrate his approval over their pairing.
More: Strictly Come Dancing
Last year, the programme featured its first same-sex couple with Katya Jones and boxer Nicola Adams paired up.
Unfortunately, Nicola was forced to retire early from the competition when Katya tested positive for Covid and the couple withdrew after just three weeks.
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturdays on BBC One.
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