Strictly's John Whaite recalls the moment he knew he was in love with Johannes

24 August 2023 , 10:28

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Strictly's John Whaite recalls the moment he knew he was in love with Johannes

Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite has let slip the moment he knew he had fallen in love with his Strictly Come Dancing partner Johannes Radebe.

The 34-year-old star, who was partnered with Johannes, 36, as part of the show's first male same-sex couple, has finally revealed when he had started to form feelings towards the South African dancer, in his upcoming memoir, Dancing On Eggshells.

John, who is engaged to Paul Atkins, his partner of 15 years, appeared on the show two years ago and he claimed he knew his feelings for Johannes were serious when the show had come to an end and he started to feel a "sense of loss".

John Whaite has confessed that he almost succumbed to the 'dreaded' Strictly curse during his stint on the popular BBC dancing show (WireImage)

John and Paul split briefly after Strictly but reconciled (john_whaite/Instagram)

And his feelings were further cemented when he realised he wouldn't have the opportunity to see Johannes everyday once the competition was over.

In extracts from his autobiography, obtained by The Sun, John explained his feelings were so strong that, at one point, he was even jealous of the beads of sweat on Johannes' body. 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."

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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."

Fortunately the pair managed to stave off their feelings for one another and avoid the infamous Strictly curse, which, year on year manages to break up relationships. Addressing the curse, John continued: "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."

Despite his feelings for Johannes, John was forced to confront the issue of whether or not he was prepared to try and salvage his relationship with Paul, who he was set to marry. Remembering that particular moment, he added: "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." He continued: "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."

But both John and Paul decided to continue with their relationship and John has revealed he is still in touch with Johannes, but would cut contact for Paul. He previously said: "If it would be tricky for Paul for me to be in contact with Johannes, then it's a sacrifice that I have to make".

Lucretia Munro