Strictly pro and choreographer Johannes Radebe’s life story is set to hit the big screen (Picture: Getty)
Strictly Come Dancing star Johannes Radebe is having his life story made into an ‘uplifting’ family film.
The popular dancer, who first found fame abroad on the hit BBC dancing show after joining in 2018, released his memoir JoJo: Finally Home in 2023.
Johannes, who is from South Africa, scored a best-seller with the book, and his own writing will be adapted to form the basis of the upcoming movie.
The 36-year-old – who is gay – battled homophobia, bullying and poverty to make a name for himself on the ballroom scene, first winning amateur and professional championships in his home country before joining its version of Strictly in 2014 and popular touring stage show Burn The Floor.
In 2021, he became part of the first all-male partnership with John Whaite on the British Strictly, finishing runners-up to Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice.
With a working title of Finally Home, Johannes will also serve as executive producer and choreographer for the film, which was first announced by Deadline.
He became a national favourite after joining the BBC show in 2018, dancing in its first all-male couple three years later (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy)
It’s being slated as a ‘joyous, funny and ultimately upbeat film packed with heart, great music, wonderful costumes and big dance numbers – in a similar vein to popular films such as Strictly Ballroom, The Fully Monty, Then We Danced and Billy Elliot’.
Anthony Kimble and Helena Spring will produce Finally Home through Arrested Industries and Helena Spring Films, which also produced the award-winning Poppie Nongena, and Oscar-nominated Yesterday.
‘Growing up gay in the townships of South Africa was not an easy ride, but there were so many good things about my life there, and it has made me the person I am today,’ commented Johannes, who previously worked as movement director on last year’s flick Pretty Red Dress, as the news was announced.
‘I never imagined my story would end up on the big screen, so I am greatly appreciative of this new opportunity and look forward to working closely with Helena and Anthony over the coming months.’
Finally Home is described as being in a ‘similar vein’ to films including The Full Monty, Strictly Ballroom and Billy Elliot (Picture: 20th C. Fox/Everett/REX/Shutterstock)
Finally Home will closely follow the book in which the dancer and choreographer recalled growing up in Zamdela, a township in South Africa, as a young boy with a passion for dance – and Barbies – when everyone else was playing football or rugby.
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Starting life in deprivation, Johannes lost his father as a child and faced adversity from a deeply prejudiced community before his hard work and the fierce support of his mother, sister and dance coach transformed his life.
Johannes wrote the book the film is based on, and will act as choreographer and executive producer (Picture: Getty)
As a young teenager he moved to Johannesburg to train, eventually becoming a dance teacher who earned so little he couldn’t afford to pay rent, instead sleeping overnight in the studio or sleeping in the back of taxis, according to The Guardian.
In the same interview, he admitted fears over being kicked out of the country after struggling when he took the Life in the UK test.
People applying for British citizenship or to settle in the UK usually have to take the assessment. Each attempt costs £50 and must be taken in an approved centre, where applicants face 24 multiple-choice questions about life in Britain and must get 18 correct in 45 minutes to pass.
The South African-born star battled poverty, homophobia and racism to make it to the top in his industry (Picture: PA)
He successfully passed but wasn’t entirely confident when he finished, admitting with a smile: ‘I got out of there thinking I might be deported.’
In the most recent series of Strictly, JoJo formed a widely adored partnership with former tennis pro Annabel Croft, who was taking part in honour of her late husband.
The pair finished in fourth place.