Strictly Come Dancing pro 'set to quit' after 2024 series as he lands new role

Strictly Come Dancing's Johannes Radebe is speculated to be leaving after the 2024 season. The South African dance pro, who has been a staple on the hit BBC series since 2018 and is currently competing with Gladiators celebrity Montell Douglas, may be bowing out as reports suggest he's looking to spread his wings with new projects next year, including a movie based on his life story.

Additionally, there's talk of him landing a prime role in a top-tier stage musical that would see him occupied for around seven months, ruling him out for Strictly's 2025 season.

Typically premiering in August, Strictly teams up celebrities with their professional partners well before the first show airs to give them time to practice their moves. But with Radebe's other engagements on the horizon, it seems likely that the show will have to go on without him.

A source disclosed to The Sun: "Johannes is hugely loved on the show and there isn't an atom of bad feeling about him leaving. Both he and the show's bosses realise he is overwhelmed with work as a result of his soaring popularity and wish him all the best. But nobody can ever get so big that they continually take up too much limelight - the star of the show must always be the show itself."

While Johannes may be stepping back to manage his hectic schedule, a source has revealed that the door is still open for his return.

They told the Mirror: "He just has too much to juggle alongside the contest. It isn't just the announced projects that he's working on, there are other opportunities in the pipeline too, which he can now explore further."

Wales Online has reached out to Strictly Come Dancing for comment.

Johannes's autobiography JoJo: Finally Home is creating a buzz as it heads toward a film adaptation with Argo Films involved. Producer Richard Johns shared his excitement with Deadline in September, stating: "Johannes' story is so full of joy and life that I found the project completely irresistible and therefore couldn't be more thrilled to work with [producers] Anthony and Helena on bringing this uplifting memoir to the screen.

"They are an incredible pairing, used to working together, but have quickly made me feel welcome as part of the team."

The Strictly star's memoir provides a colourful account of his early life in the South African township of Zamelda and traces his rise in the dance world, culminating in his performances on the popular BBC series Strictly Come Dancing.