New Strictly Come Dancing pro Johannes Radebe funds family in South Africa after escaping slum life
STRICTLY Come Dancing is known for its glamorous costumes and sequins.
But for new pro Johannes Radebe, life hasn’t always been full of glitter. I can reveal the hunk, who has already danced on Dancing With The Stars South Africa, grew up in a slum south of Johannesburg.
In an exclusive interview, Vanes-Mari Du Toit, a South-African netballer who partnered him on the show said: “This man was born to entertain but he had to fight from day one to get to the very top.
“It is a real rags-to-riches story if ever there was one.
“His mother and father lived on an informal settlement. I know life was very hard but once he discovered he could dance at the age of seven he just wanted to be the very best and use his talent to support his family.”
Johannes will be joining fellow newbies Italian Graziano Di Prima and Russian Luba Mushtuk on this year’s series which begins in September.
And his signing will be all the sweeter for his mum and sister back home in the township of Sasolburg, who he sends money back to every month.
Vanes-Mari added: “This is for him and he is destined for great things. The BBC is very lucky to have him.”
Let’s hope he doesn’t end up sat on the sidelines.
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Platt twist as evil Kayla kidnaps Beth
SHE’S already endured a traumatic time on Coronation Street – but these pictures reveal Bethany Platt’s life is about to take another dark twist.
Gail’s granddaughter, played by Lucy Fallon, is kidnapped, gagged and tied up by Kayla Westbrook in an act of revenge.
Then Bethany’s ex Craig Tinker confronts Kayla – who fends him off with a crowbar, below right.
Played by Mollie Winnard, newcomer Kayla is the daughter of rapist Neil Clifton – the disgraced copper who was jailed last year after he groomed Bethany.
Kayla first appeared in Wetherfield as a waitress in the new Speed Daal restaurant and she initially took a shine to Craig.
She finds out who Bethany is when she turns up at her home.
Wild child Bethany has worked at a lap-dancing club. She was also embroiled in the dodgy dealings of Callum Logan – the boyfriend of her mum Sarah Platt, played by Tina O’Brien.
But it remains to be seen whether Bethany escapes her latest ordeal unscathed.
Formula for two
AFTER launching reality series Tamara’s World, ITVBe is keen to get Tamara Ecclestone to join sister Petra in a follow up.
They’re hoping the rich siblings’ decadent lifestyle could become Britain’s answer to Keeping Up With The Kardashians sisters Kim, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian.
The first series, shown last year, gave a taste of the wealth enjoyed by the daughter of Formula 1 billionaire Bernie.
A TV insider said: “Tamara and Petra would be a dream signing, particularly as Tamara’s solo venture seemed to capture the public’s imagination.”
ITV bosses are said to already be in provisional talks with the sisters.
It comes after Petra has had to cope with the pressure of her stormy divorce from husband James Stunt.
Sounds like the perfect chance to tell her side of the story.
must watch
WHAT? The Graham Norton Show, BBC1, 10.35pm.
WHY? It’s a bit of a hunkfest on Graham’s sofa tonight as Aidan Turner, Ethan Hawke and Liam Payne appear alongside Toni Collette and Jo Brand.
Bizzle’s tipples
LETHAL Bizzle lived up to his outrageous reputation on the set of Sky One’s Carnage by boozing between scenes.
The rapper, who co-hosts the extreme motoring show with ex-cricketer Freddie Flintoff and Vick Hope, cracked open the cheeky beverage towards the end of filming.
Speaking ahead of the series finale on Sunday, Vick said: “Lethal Bizzle always had a secret tipple available. It was brandy. He would always offer me a little drink as we were getting towards the night shoot. I was very professional and always turned it down.
“On the last night we let ourselves go a bit and I had a little glass of Courvoisier. We weren’t driving so it was OK.”
The rapper also managed to persuade producers to give him the best dressing room, as Vick added: “We would hang out in Lethal Bizzle’s dressing room a lot – he had a massive TV, computer games, a cool box of drinks in it, it was like being backstage at a gig.”
Sounds like a decent blag.
bizbit
BILLIE Faiers has landed her own wedding show on ITVBe, which will see the ex-Towie star go on a glam hen do with sister and co-star Sam before marrying fiancé Greg Shepherd in the Maldives.
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soapbox
TROUBLED Hayley warns Kat she will reveal her cousin’s secret in EastEnders if she doesn’t pay her a serious amount of cash before leaving for Spain.
Elsewhere, Louise hears Sharon telling Mel about a break-in at E20 and rushes to warn her friends.
Hunter creeps into the club to find out what is going on and is stunned to find the safe has been raided.
In Coronation Street chaos follows the sound of gunshot at No11, and Phelan takes a hostage at the Bistro.
Meanwhile, a desperate Gail reconnects with Rosemary.
Over on Emmerdale, Dan and Daz have a falling out, Paddy is confused and Charity feels frustrated.