Strictly’s Johannes Radebe reunites with childhood bully
Strictly Come Dancing star Johannes Radebe has revealed he reunited with his childhood bully following his trip back home.
The professional dancer grew up in South Africa, and has often referenced the hardship he went through as part of his adolescence.
The dancer appeared on Radio 4's Saturday Live show to promote his recently released memoir, Jojo: Finally Home - My Story, and revealed that he met with a bully from his childhood during a trip to the country of his birth.
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“I met Malcolm, who was one of the bullies, the other day when I went home, which was like five weeks ago,” he began. “At his side, I felt sorry for him because I realised it was him [with the] insecurities. He's the one that had a problem, not me.
“It was lovely to have a conversation about where we are in life right now. What was interesting and beautiful was to see that he's grown as a person as well. I said to him 'you were something else', and he said 'I know.'”
Johannes, who will compete in the upcoming 21st series of Strictly, continued by recalling that Malcolm acknowledged and apologised for his actions, with the reunion serving as a point of closure for the pair.
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“The fact that he acknowledged that as well. I remember that we hugged and said goodbye, and that was nice,” said Johannes. “He did [apologise]. I guess I had to release him a long time ago so that I could continue with my life.
“But for that to have happened, I acknowledged it and I just said ‘you know it's where we are right now, isn't it?’ I didn't want to process it a lot. I was like 'good for you, it was never me, I understand now, but good for you that you see things differently now,’” he added.
Strictly Come Dancing returns for its launch special on September 16 on BBC One, while spin-off Strictly: It Takes Two airs on BBC Two. Both shows are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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