09 December 2023 , 21:55
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Strictly Come Dancingprofessional dancer Johannes Radebe left his co-stars in tears during the semi-finals.
The 36-year-old is currently paired with tennis star Annabel Croft in the BBC dance competition as the duo compete for a spot in this year's final. On Saturday night's show, Johannes and Annabel danced the Salsa to You'll Be Mine by Gloria Estefan, and performed a Viennese Waltz.
They did all they could to try to impress the judges and viewers to secure a spot in the final next weekend. Despite placing last on the leaderboard, Johannes was full of praise for Annabel after their last dance of the night. After receiving their scores from the judges, Johannes was asked by host Claudia Winkleman why Annabel should be a Strictly finalist.
Strictly stars were left crying at Johannes' message to Annabel (BBC)He replied: "Claudia, this woman has really respected our art form of ballroom and Latin." Johannes turned to Annabel as he continued: "You have taken to training like a duck to water and look how beautiful you are because you are a beautiful swan darling." The dancer told Claudia: "Now when I tell you, this has been a year for Annabel and we all know that. Not only for her but for her family as well. What I applaud is that after all of that, she came here to learn how to dance."
He looked into Annabel's eyes as he began to choke up: "I can't tell you how proud I am of you. It is not about the Glitterball, it is about what you have given me. So, Annabel Croft, you have won my heart. Thank you." Annabel and Johannes shared a sweet embrace as the fellow professional dancers stood listening wiping away tears.
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Viewers at home also found his words emotional. Taking to X - formerly Twitter - one said: "Goodness me, Annabel Croft! Beautiful, courageous and so strong to do #Strictly this year. Johannes, you are such a gentleman. Not a dry eye watching that tonight." Another added: "What a beautiful, heartfelt speech from Johannes. They don't need the glitterball, they've got something better, a wonderful friendship. We all need a Johannes in our lives."
Someone else wrote: "Johannes speaking about Annabel has broken me." A fourth commented: "What @jojo_radebe has done for @Annabel_Croft has been the most beautiful part of #Strictly this year." The 57-year-old tennis star was devastated earlier this year when her sailing champion husband Mel Coleman died in May at the age of 60. Mel had battled stomach cancer - having been diagnosed with the condition just weeks before his tragic death.
Annabel has credited Strictly with helping her work through her grief and for Johannes for his support. She also revealed that her husband, who was a huge fan of Strictly, would have been a firm friend of the dance professional if had still been alive to meet him. Speaking on This Morning last month, Annabel said: "It has been a horrific year, it was something I've never anticipated, this was never meant to be how life was going to be.
"I thought I had a future with my husband, we'd been together since I was 21, 36 years together and I miss him terribly, there is no question about it. I so want to speak to him about what we are doing, I miss his humour and I really wish that Johannes had met him because I feel like they would have got on so well. And he adored Johannes when he used to watch the programme."