Strictly Come Dancing favourite Johannes Radebe has announced he has become a British citizen but insisted “my roots will always be South African”. His career began as a dance teacher in Johannesburg before he spent 7 years dancing on cruise ships. He went on to win the Professional South African Latin Champions title twice and the Amateur Latin South African champion title three times before he moved to the UK.

The professional dancer, 38, first joined the BBC dance competition in 2018 and has since become a firm fan favourite. Since then, he has made history as part of the show’s first all-male partnership in 2021 with Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite.

Now, eight years after he moved to London, the TV personality has officially become a British citizen. Taking to Instagram on Friday afternoon (February 27), the dancer shared footage from his citizenship ceremony, where he rocked a dapper white suit, paired with white heeled boots and a matching cape.

After completing his citizenship ceremony, he marked the milestone occasion by taking his friends and family to dinner at the Hilton, where they proudly waved Union Jack flags and cheered with a bottle of fizz. Alongside the footage, he shared a lengthy post about what his new title means to him.

He penned: “I left South Africa with a heart full of hope and a dream too big to say out loud. I didn’t know how the story would unfold, only that I was brave enough to begin it. Britain welcomed me. It challenged me. It shaped me. Through Strictly, I found not just a stage, but a voice and the chance to grow in front of millions.

“Today, I stand as a citizen of the United Kingdom. And I did not stand there alone. I was surrounded by the family I chose... people who love me, who support me, and who give their time and belief so I can simply get on with it. None of this was achieved alone.”

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“My roots will always be South African – my foundation, my fire, my first rhythm. But Britain has become my belonging, the place where my artistry flourished and where my future now stands. At my citizenship ceremony, I pledged to respect the rights and freedoms of the United Kingdom and to uphold its democratic values.”

He continued: “Those words mean something to me. This is not just citizenship. It is gratitude. It is growth. It is a shared sacrifice. It is proof that courage, when paired with opportunity and held up by love, can change the course of a life.

“I carry when I come from with pride. I embrace where I stand with humility. And I step forward – not just as a dancer, not just as a performer, but as someone who dared to begin and was welcomed enough to become. THANK YOU [United Kingdom flag and South Africa flag].”

It didn’t take long before his famous friends and loyal legion of fans flocked to the comments to share their congratulations. Stacey Dooley penned: “Lucky us [heart emoji]” as Kai Widdrington added: “Come through [heart emoji]”.

Meanwhile, 2024 winner Ellie Taylor gushed: “Ah, jojo!!! Huge congratulations, you top geezer” as Karen Hauer simply added three applause emojis. Carol Vorderman added: “Hello, wonderful man, and congratulations [heart emoji]” as It Takes Two host Janette Manrara added: “Amazing news, my beautiful friend!! [prayer emoji, white heart emoji].”