BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Johannes Radebe breaks silence on exit claims as fans respond

Johannes Radebe has broken his silence on claims he will quit Strictly Come Dancing following the current series. The professional dancer is a firm favourite among fans having joined the show in 2018.

He made history three years later with baker John Whaite when the pair became the first all-male partnership to compete on the BBC One dance contest and they made it all the way to the final.

Johannes is now in training for week eight of Strictly's 20th-anniversary series with his celebrity dance partner Montell Douglas after they survived the dreaded dance-off last weekend following the first-ever 'Icons Week'.

READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Jamie Borthwick says 'we've left training' as fans say 'no wonder'

But he couldn't help but respond to circulating rumours that he is poised to quit Strictly next year as he takes on his first big stage role in Kinky Boots.

Taking to Instagram on Thursday evening (November 7), Johannes shared a clip from the rehearsal room with his Olympian dance partner Montell and in a clip, was seen singing along to certain words of a song before he said: "I'm not going nowhere!"

He then wrote alongside the post, which featured a screengrab of the headline in question: "I'm not going nowhere! The story isnt 'true' - I love @bbcstrictly and I want to do this beautiful show for as long as they want me - and the body will allow. I have Kinky Boots and other work in the pipeline yes but nothing will take me away. Love you all Jojo Xx".

The 37-year-old's Strictly co-stars were quick to respond with messages and in particualr crying laughing emojis as they laughed off the rumours with him. And fans were quick to share their relief at Johannes not going anywhere and praised his response.

@liv.dainty said: "didn’t believe any of it anyway, as you always say jojo you’re not going anywhere! the only place you’re going is for craigs’ job!! Love you so much." @kate.roons commented: "Oh this makes my heart leap that you’re staying." @shirleighshirlz wrote: "PHEW." @oliviamc_12_xx added: "Thank god love you so much I’m glad the news isn’t true."