STRICTLY Come Dancing star Johannes Radebe was “punched many times” in a horrifying homophobic attack.
The professional dancer opened up about the terrifying experience he had during his time at school in South Africa.
Johannes, 35, who grew up in Zamdela, South Africa, admitted he received horrible physical and verbal abuse as a child.
The Strictly Come Dancing star opened up about having to “duck and dive” from bullies during his school days.
The dancer horrifyingly recalled how he was “punched many times” in one homophobic attack.
Johannes told The Guardian: “School was horrid. They used to say to me, ‘Oh, sissy boy!’ If the bullies were far enough away, I might give a sassy retort.
“But if I was close by I would have been punched, which I was many times.”
The star said he would perform in his primary school assembly after taking up dancing early in his childhood.
Noting dancing made him feel “invincible”, he said: “The music started playing and I knew there was a place where no one can touch me.”
The Strictly pro said he was always keen to “share with everybody” how dance can bring “joy and freedom”.
Johannes went on to admit he was glad to be living in the UK, but encouraged there was “still a long way to go”.
“You guys have a long way to go still, but people make space for one another to coexist,” he said.
Johannes joined the cast of Strictly Come Dancing in 2018, and made history in 2021 when he was paired with John Whaite in the first ever same sex coupling.
The duo finished in second place after making it to the final.
