25 November 2023 , 18:45
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Strictly Come Dancing professional Johannes Radebe and his celebrity partner John Whaite formed a unique bond.
So much so that after the show wrapped, Great British Bake Off winner John admitted he'd fallen in love with Johannes and had to take a step back in a bid to save his relationship.
John, 34, was engaged to Paul Atkins, his partner of 15 years, but realised his feelings for Johannes were serious when the show had came to an end and he felt a "sense of loss". Writing in his autobiography, John explained how his feelings were so strong that, at one point, he was even jealous of the beads of sweat on Johannes' body.
Johannes and John were partnered on Strictly (Darren Quinton/Birmingham Live)
John recently confessed that fame and his close friendship with Johannes disrupted his personal life (Getty Images)He wrote: "After that final dance, I hung up my clothes for the last time. I felt a sense of loss. Not because the competition was over, I was knackered and ready for a break, but because I wouldn't get to see Johannes every single day."
He added: "I watched him as he sat on the window sill of the dressing room drinking a glass of champagne, still sparkling in his bright white show dance outfit. I was jealous of the sweat beads as they shimmered on his beautiful skin. I wanted to be close to him... We hugged goodbye, I didn't want to let go."
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To The Times John explained that he and partner Paul had to take some time out after the show while he worked through his feelings for Johannes: "I fell in love with him. I can't speak for him – because I'm not allowed to, legally – but it felt like there was love there. So yes, I fell in love with Johannes. I still love Johannes. Of course I do."
For Johannes, the partnership was a healing process that enabled him to grow in confidence without feeling judged. On the Reign with Josh Smith podcast, he said: "I have fallen in love with my art form again because of John. The opportunity to be so creative with what we had to come up with every week. I was trying to figure things out as I was going along, not once did he make me feel otherwise."
Talking about the "intimate" process of dancing together in the BBC competition, which involves long hours of training, John said he was amazed by how little they argued. And even when they did, it was quickly put right.
"When you spend ten hours a day, five-six days a week with someone, you expect there to be a lot of clashing, but we didn’t," he said. "We always spoke very honestly about how we both felt, if there was something I was anxious about in a dance or if there was something I wasn’t getting. We had a few cross words, let’s face it, we’re human beings, we fell out once or twice, but we didn’t let it get us for long."
John and Paul eventually reunited and the TV star made the decision not to contact Johannes as he felt it would be disrespectful his fiance.
Meanwhile, Johannes told The Times that they will remain friends for life after sharing 'such a beautiful experience'. "What we agreed is that, regardless of what life throws at us, we will always keep [this friendship] going. 'We are friends for life', I always say to him. 'I know where you live. You cannot get rid of me.' I still speak to him," he said.
Looking forward, the dancer now hopes to find happiness of his own. "I want a partner," he continued. "I want one. I need one. Every aspect of my life is great except for that. I deserve love and I never ever thought that I deserved to be loved in that way."