JOHANNES

We recently got to chat with the flamboyant, fun and our favourite strictly pro dancer Johannes. On the 29th April he will be back in Belfast’s Grand Opera House and if the show is anything close to the last tour it will be an iconic night you don’t want to miss . Tickets for ‘House of Jojo’ are on sale NOW get over to goh.co.uk before they are gone!

Before we chat let’s play a wee game to break the ice - one word answers unless you feel the need to elaborate lol

Tea or Coffee?

Coffee

Lift or be lifted? To be lifted!

Beauty or Intelligence ?

Intelligence

Night Owl or Early Bird ?

Night Owl

Cook or Take Away?

Take Away

Plan & Budget or Blow it all (you may be gone tomorrow)

Blow it All

Biggest Fear ?

Losing Mama

Guilty Pleasure ?

Prosecco

We got a few fan questions via social media, most of which unsurprisingly in appropriate lol though there are a couple we thought you could answer

Mandy Sykes asks - When you hear a piece of music on radio that you have choreographed a routine to, do you think back to that performance ?

Definitely – I can’t help moving! Once you’ve done a routine it always stays in your bones.

Dean Johnston asks - Have you ever forgotten the dance steps during a performance? Sadly yes!! Although not often!

First off I must say thanks for taking the time to chat and get a picture after the show last year, I don’t say this lightly but OMG you really did bring the party to Belfast and we cannot wait for you to come back.

We need to chat Strictly, we absolutely adored your partnership with Annabell. It was bound to be gutting not making the final?

I was gutted that Annabel didn’t get a chance to lift the glitterball – without doubt she was the most improved contestant. In the beginning I didn’t see the final in our sights – she just wanted to dance, it was never about winning. When we made it to the semi-final –something changed and suddenly winning was in the realms of possibility. Regardless I have made a friend for life in Annabel.

Ellie, Bobby and Layton were left, we all know the outcome but had you a favourite and did they go on to win ?

They were all amazing, but if I had to choose I’d go with Bobby – I think Bobby represented what strictly was all about.

I read that you had reservations about dancing with Annabell, after the loss of her husband, any truth in that ?

There’s no truth – if anything I was apprehensive about the Strictly Journey last year – my cousin had killed himself not long before the season was due to start and so understandably feelings were still raw. With her losing her husband to stomach cancer, the partnership could have been an emotional disaster but ended up being the start of a beautiful friendship. She is a wonderful woman.

You moved in with her family during the show, are you still there now or are you back in your own pad ?

I’m back in my own apartment now. She’s calling me right now telling me the sun is out and the garden is waiting for me!

She has been doing the Strictly tour, I know she is in the capable hands of Graziano, is it difficult not being able to join them on the tour due to other commitments?

Oh my gosh! FOMO! FOMO! FOMO!. I went to see them at the o2 an all I wanted to do was jump on the floor, as I knew every piece of music and choreography.

I hear audiences that attend the London Palladium Matinee on 4th May will be in for a treat as you will be reuniting on stage.

Yes that true - I made a promise on the last day of strictly that we’d dance again one day, and the fact it is at The London Palladium is the cherry on the cake!

It’s early days yet for 2024 announcements though can we take it as a given that you will be back ?

Please say yes

I’m still waiting for the call – but as I always say, I’ll do strictly for as long as my bones will last!

Right, let’s get on to the tour. Last year was all about ‘Freedom’ and you return with ‘House Of Jojo’ without giving too much away what is the concept for this tour ?

During the past two years of touring, in my head I was building a home – a house where people could come and know they are welcome, wherever they are in the world because I think it’s so important to create safe spaces in today’s world. The first two shows focused around y South African Roots, whereas this time I wanted to explore my time in the UK and themes of belonging.

Is it daunting to think that you will be taking the tour across the U.K to 38 locations or is this the dream ?

This is the dream. I have to pinch myself constantly.

You come to Belfast on 29th April for 3 nights, will you get some free time to do tourist things while you are here ? And also what’s your favourite thing about the city ?

I love Belfast! The thing with this tour being one nighters is that it’s pretty full on – we move constantly from place to place and never stop. So when we land in a place for a day or two, we all just crash and recuperate! My favourite thing about Belfast is without doubt the people – I’ll certainly be visiting the marks for the food and drink. I also have a book signing at Waterstones on 1st May at 11am!

Touring and Strictly are so different, have you a preference ?

I love them both equally because they both have a different reach.

Is it true that a Memoir of your life is being made into a film? If so, what can you tell us about it ?

I am! Another pinch me moment! It’s going to be filmed in both England and South Africa, and I already have friends from home asking what their role is going to be!!

We have to ask about you meeting Queen Camila and presenting her with tap shoes - omg that was bound to have been a massive pinch me momentwhat was she like ? Oh and do you know if she tried the shoes on ?

No I don’t know if she tried the shoes on but she has invited me to teach her tap and I said I’d be there! What was amazing about her was how selfless she was in her time and how she made effort with every single person in the room – that was humbling. Knowing what we know now about her family health worries– she was the quintessential queen how she conducted herself –I was inspired and in awe.

Your tour finishes in June, anything exciting planned for later in the year ?

Rest! – I’ll be Travelling for the first time in a long time. I’m going to the French open with Annabel croft. Just generally time to relax and unwind ahead of making my musical theatre debut as Lola in Kinky Boots – I can’t wait to visit Belfast for a longer period of time, maybe then I’ll be able to be a tourist and take in your beautiful city.

And lastly a pretty much typical question but where do you see yourself in say 5 years ? We adore you dancing though we would LOVE you on the judging panel.

Oh definitely!

Thanks for taking the time with us Johannes, it has been a pleasure as always Be sure to get over to goh.co.uk to snap up the last remaining tickets .

Interview by: Daniel May