BBC Strictly Come Dancing star Johannes Radebe's family held up by 'visa issues' and miss show

BBC Strictly Come Dancing star Johannes Radebe has been left gutted after his family were left abroad in a brutal blow as he kicked off his nationwide tour. The pro dancer from the BBC show has spoken out after his loved ones were unable to see his solo tour.

Strictly Come Dancing pro Johannes, nicknamed Jojo, who grew up in South Africa, explained: "I was hoping that they were going to be here this evening, but [they can't] because of visa issues." He continued: "Don't even start.

"But it's fine, she'll make it to Liverpool." Johannes was praised by his former celebrity partner Annabel Croft, who took to the stage during his opening solo show and said: "Thank you so much for the honour to dance with your here at the Palladium.

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"This is beyond anybody's dream, but to dance with you Johannes has been extraordinary. You gave me the most wonderful joyful, and most healing experience on Strictly. And I can't thank you enough for that. You are such a special person, you sprinkle your magic everywhere, and I'm so thrilled to see it."

Johannes previously discussed being angry at being paired with the 57-year-old Wimbledon legend. "I mean, a lot of people say, Oh Johannes, you helped Annabelle but no, Annabelle helped me," he said earlier this year, after coming fifth with Croft on last year's series.

He continued: "When they (first) said I'm dancing with her, I was like, What are they trying to achieve? And I say that because two weeks before I started, I buried my cousin who committed suicide. You know, I wasn't as excited as I normally would be, because I was like, this is supposed to be the most exciting period, I've just come back off a very successful tour. But I had to then go home (South Africa)."

"I could have stayed out there for longer but after we buried him, I had to fly back to the UK and do my audiobook," he said. "That was hard, and when Strictly started, I was just like, Okay, just felt like I was going through the motions." He added: "And yeah, they said we think that you're the person to partner, this woman. I just said to myself, they're reaching. I remember calling my agent.

"I was like, I don't know what's going to happen. Maybe we should say that I shouldn't get a partner this year because I just really need some time out."