John Whaite details Strictly curse with Johannes as he calls BBC show 'sickly'
Former Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite has shared new details of how he fell victim to the infamous Strictly Come Dancing curse.
The now infamous and dreaded Strictly curse refers to the trend of celebrities and professional dancers drastically upheaving their personal lives after or during the show. It seems the show causes rifts to explode in off-screen relationships causing them to break up, and for new ones to grow between dancer and celebrity. The intense schedules, passionate dances and physical closeness can affect off-screen relationships and encourage new ones, the numbers seem to show.
John, 34, came second on the BBC one dance competition back in 2021 alongside his professional dance partner, Johannes Radebe. They proved to be the perfect pair on the show, with them landing the runner-up spot, but behind-the-scenes love was brewing between the two Strictly stars.
Earlier this month, John confessed that he had fallen head over heels for Johannes during the competition - despite the fact he was in a long term relationship with his now fiancé, Paul Atkins.
They were the first same sex couple to ever appear on the show (Instagram)
John Whaite details Strictly curse with Johannes as he calls BBC show 'sickly' (WireImage)Opening up to The Times ahead of his upcoming autobiography ‘Dancing on Eggshells’ being released, John said he developed feelings for Johannes after being partnered with him and feels like he is “still in love” with him now.
EastEnders' Jake Wood's snap of son has fans pointing out the pair's likeness
John said: “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. We had so much in common. We had some similar stories growing up – the homophobia, the bullying, coming out, coming to terms with our sexuality – as any queer kid would. And there was just a beautiful symmetry about it because it was on the other side of the earth [John is from Lancashire and Johannes is South African].”
Explaining their close connection further, John continued: “He’s black and I’m white, yet we still have that lived experience. It shows how we’re human. So, yes I fell in love with Johannes. I still love Johannes, of course I do.”
John has now opened up on how the Strictly curse got to him, admitting that it got so intense that at one point he got furiously jealous of anyone getting close to dance partner Johannes Radebe - including the professional dancer's sweat.
John said he fell for Johannes (Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
John and Johannes developed feelings for one another during the BBC competition (BBC)Lifting the lid on his jealous tendencies in his new book, John penned: “Johannes knew that [the curse] could happen. He had seen it a thousand times with his dance companions over the years. When you are physically pressed against another man for ten hours a day, things move emotionally. He was being cautious. Strictly has a magical way of revealing the truth.
“For a while, Paul and I had to have some time apart. I felt like I didn’t know what I wanted from my existence any more. Paul had moved back with his parents and I thought to myself ‘What the hell are you doing?’ I was making that childhood premonition of growing old alone come true. Fourteen years in a solid relationship with a man who loves me unconditionally, a man who would move the earth to make me feel safe and I was p***ing all over it.”
Despite falling in love with professional dancer Johannes, John and Paul reconciled and are now happier than ever.
The Mirror has reached out to reps for John and Johannes for further comment on this story.
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