Thursday Motivation

Strictly star Johannes Radebe’s amazing life story is coming to the big screen

I send my heartfelt congratulations to Johannes following this exciting news

Strictly Come Dancing fan favourite Johannes Radebe is swapping the ballroom for the big screen.

Earlier this year, it was revealed that the professional dancer’s autobiography JoJo: Finally Home is being adapted into a film, which will chart the 37-year-old’s journey from growing up in poverty and facing prejudice in South Africa to finding success as a dance champion and TV star.

Now another update has been confirmed as the project steps up a gear, with Deadline reporting that the movie will be co produced by Argo Films, along with previously announced producers Arrested Industries and Helena Spring Films.

Radebe is set to serve as an executive producer on the film, which has the working title Finally Home, and will also choreograph its show stopping dance routines. Casting for the project is yet to be confirmed.

The Strictly star, who has most recently been paired with former tennis player Annabel Croft and comedian Ellie Taylor on the BBC show, struggled to be accepted as a young boy growing up in Zamdela in South Africa, and was often bullied for his love of dance.

His family and a dance coach supported his talent, and he eventually began taking part in ballroom and Latin competitions, raising money to cover his transport and accommodation.

He went on to win the professional South African Latin championships twice and was also crowned the country’s amateur Latin champion three times, before joining South Africa’s version of Strictly in 2014.

He has been part of the cast of the UK show since 2018 and made Strictly history in 2021 as one half of the show’s first same-sex male couple with Bake Off star John Whaite.

“Growing up gay in the townships of South Africa was not an easy ride, but there were so many good things about my life there, and it has made me the person I am today,” Radebe said when the film was confirmed.

“I never imagined my story would end up on the big screen, so I am greatly appreciative of this new opportunity and look forward to working closely with [producers] Helena [Spring] and Anthony [Kimble] over the coming months.”

Priti Patel knocked out of Tory leadership contest in first round of voting

Former home secretary got two fewer votes than Mel Stride, while Robert Jenrick leads race to succeed Rishi Sunak

Priti Patel, the home secretary under Boris Johnson, was once regarded as a likely future leader of the Conservative party.

Priti Patel has been knocked out of the race to succeed Rishi Sunak as Conservative party leader in the first round of voting by Tory MPs.

The former home secretary received 14 votes from her colleagues, leaving her two behind the fifth-placed candidate, Mel Stride.

Robert Jenrick was firmly in the lead with 28 votes, ahead of Kemi Badenoch, the bookies’ favourite, on 22 James Cleverly exceeded expectations by securing 21 votes and Tom Tugendhat received 17.

Patel’s loss was a surprise for many in Westminster given that Stride, the former work and pensions secretary, was expected to exit the race first. The result shows how far her standing in the parliamentary party has slipped since she was home secretary under Boris Johnson, when she was seen as a probable future party leader.