Johannes

One of our fav Strictly Pro’s is on route to Belfast’s Grand Opera House on 25th May, with his new show ‘Freedom Unleashed’ this is going to be a party like no other as Johannes will be joined by a diverse, world-class cast of talented dancers and singers. We caught up with this infectious man to find out all about it!

You have been a professional for 4 years now on Strictly, how time has flown. Which has been your favourite dance to date and why?

Rhumba With John to Shape of My heart by Sting - because it transcended dancing.

You have danced as part of a same-sex couple and as part of a mixed-sex couple, did you find the same sex more challenging and if you could only do one for the rest of your Strictly career which would it be and why?

Not to take away from any of my partnerships - but it was quite different with John because he matched me in strength and for the first time someone could ever lift me so it was a whole different way of dancing.

There is always a lot of media speculation about the “Strictly Curse” but what we would like to know is given the speeches we always see when a couple is voted off, you know the “I have made a friend for life,” and all that sort of stuff. Have you become a friend for life to all your contestants? Do you still meet up, chat or anything?

We do become friends - best friends. The experience allows you all to create great bonds and friends for life.

Obviously, Anton was one of the longest serving professionals and has now made it onto the judging panel, is this something you would consider doing? How do you find being marked by a past professional, do you think he is fair or do you think he is more critical than the other judges?

We didn’t know we needed Anton until he sat on that chair! We love Anton and because he has been a Pro on the show he does understand the experience from both side. All the Judges are just as accomplished but Anton knows what it takes on a Monday!

If you could choose anyone in the entire world dead or alive to be your dance partner on the next series of Strictly who would it be and why?

Princess Diana, I would love to have met her or Harry Styles because I love him.

South Africa like Northern Ireland isn’t without its history and troubles, what was it like for you to grow up there and was it more complicated once you realised your sexuality as a gay person of colour?

I think all gay people around the world have a shared experience of bullying of some sort but the most important thing for me was finding my tribe and people that will nurture and support me and I’ve found this in the UK.

At what age did you realise you wanted to be a dancer and what did you do to get yourself to where you are today?

7 - and I realised it was my career when I had to be a breadwinner and because I had my first dancing gig at the time the support from my mother was enough to make it my career. I settled with dancing because I figured why not get paid for doing something that I love and I’ve never looked back.

You are about to embark on your Freedom Unleashed Tour, what is the concept for the show? Tell us about the process of how it starts as an idea to become a whole touring show.

Freedom Unleashed is a riveting dance extravaganza - the show tells the story of my upbringing from South Africa to the world all performed to dance classics, scorching African Rhythms and huge party anthems, accompanied by a beautiful diverse cast of talent. I can’t wait for everyone to join in the party! You are known for having quite an outlandish style when you have been on chat shows and at events, how do these looks come about and do you have any favourite designers to work with? My style is personal and I absolutely adore fashion - I come from rich background of people who believe that cleanliness and style is next to Godliness lol (don’t know who came up with that!) I’m a “sourcer” so I like clothes - it doesn’t matter where that piece or item was around the world I will get it.

You’ve racked up over 375k followers on Instagram, which is a pretty huge following for a strictly professional. What has been the strangest request \ thing you have received from a fan?

A full size cut out of me! A fan bought them for his partner and placed them all around their house as he couldn’t get me to attend his birthday party!

As a professional dancer, you have racked up numerous titles, awards and competition wins, what was the first one that really made you feel WOW I have made it and tell us about how you got it. South African national Championships - after many years of trying it finally happened - hard work pays off!

You have been on Celebrity MasterChef, how did you find that competitive experience with it not being dance related? So Imagine this, you have invited us round for dinner and you really want to impress us so you can get the cover, what is on the menu? Honey - they both have fantastic formats and they both challenging in their own way - but I’d rather do a Cha Cha then cook a meal from scratch in an hour!

You are an incredibly busy man, what do you like to do to unwind or in your free Time?

I spend time with my family, read, Netflix but I rarely have free time as I am so busy. At the moment I’m writing Freedom Unleashed which is full time!

Do you have any advice you would like to give to any young, shy boys or girls out there who dream of a life as a dancer?

Don’t deny yourself the joy that dancing can bring you based on other people’s opinion. Do YOU, the world will adjust.

QUICK FIRE

Party Island or Deserted Island? Deserted Island

Hands or feet? Hands

Cook in or Eat Out? Cook in Summer or Winter? Summer

Latin or Ballroom? Latin Chocolate or Crisps? Crisps

Boxers or Briefs? Briefs

Weights or Cardio? Cardio

Read a book or watch a movie? Depends on how I feel - my mood!

Snog Marry Avoid

You have to choose between your most recent 3 celeb partners - Ellie (Taylor), John (Whaite) and Caroline (Quentin). Marry John, Snog him and forget about him - the others are already married.

Tickets are on sale now to see Johannes in action. Leave your inhibitions at the door and get ready to dance to your own tune in this super-charged “must-see show”. You can also book a meet and greet ticket, all the info is on goh.co.uk