Strictly’s John Whaite and Johannes Radebe have inspired more interest in same-sex dancing

Virgin Radio

17 Dec 2021, 14:27

It’s been a big year for Strictly! The series introduced its first deaf contestant and first male dance pairing, and it seems to be having an amazing affect on the dancing community. 

As they sway their way into the Strictly Come Dancing final this weekend, the success of John Whaite and his dance partner Johannes Radebe has seemingly made an impact, with more and more people signing up to same-sex dance nights, according to the BBC.

Francesca Canty from The Bishopsgate Institute, which offers a number of same-sex dance classes, believes more people are interested in same-sex dancing because of the incredible reaction John and Johannes have been recieving week-on-week. 

She said: “John and Joannes have been the catalyst for a lot of people because suddenly it's visible and everyone’s enjoying it.”

It’s not the only thing John and Joannes have helped with, as they recently revealed how pleased they were to help some viewers feel confident in their sexuality. 

Speaking to Digital Spy, John said: “People have said that we’ve given them the ability to come out.

"People have actually said, thanks to you and Johannes, seeing their parents’ reaction to two men dancing, has given them the reassurance they needed to say ‘I’m gay’ or ‘I’m lesbian’ or ‘I’m queer’."

The journey on Strictly hasn’t always been easy though, and while the positives have absolutely outweighed the negatives, it’s not been without its trolls and nasty comments, as John recently shared across his social media. 

In a recent Instagram post, showing an emotional moment during one of their dances, John wrote out a list of all things the pairing has been called, including a ‘box ticking’ exercise and ‘not natural’. 

To those trolls, John wrote: “You vicious, empty people are a dying breed. You’ll be left behind as the world becomes kinder, more empathic, more loving, more tolerant, more understanding. The only grievance you should feel is your own failure to evolve.”

John and Johannes are now only one of two pairs of dancers battling it out on Saturday night’s finale after AJ Odudu was forced to withdraw from the competition due to a nasty ankle injury.

The Strictly Come Dancing finale airs on BBC One on Saturday (18th December) at 7pm.