ballroom blunder

Strictly star Johannes Radebe sparks backlash by comparing Blackpool to ‘squatter camps’

The South African star dancer has never been to the town, but said the other pros had 'warned' him what to expect when the show films there

STRICTLY star Johannes Radebe has sparked a major backlash by comparing Blackpool to a "squatter camp".

The South African star dancer has never been to the town, but said the other pros had "warned" him what to expect when the show films there.

Speaking to, Johannes, 31, revealed he is excited about his first trip to the town as he's grown up in awe of the Blackpool Dance Festival.

However, he said his Strictly co-stars told him: "You shouldn’t expect much.”

Johannes went on to say the dancers said of the town: "Apparently... they’re like the squatter camps.”

The term is used to refer to shanty towns in his native South Africa where residents live in terrible poverty.

Many Blackpool business owners have since hit back at Johannes' remarks.

Karl Myhillof the town's Tiffany’s Hotel said: “I am shocked at the comments.
“Blackpool is a fabulous traditional seaside resort.";

Linda Nolan, who lives in Blackpool, told the Mirror: "They’ve got the wrong impression of Blackpool.

"The dancers haven’t asked the right people to show them around."

The dancer has apologised and insisted he didn't mean to cause any offence.

He said: "I’m so sorry for any offence I may have caused to the people of Blackpool."

The seaside resort boasts more than 18 million visitors a year, but the town has suffered from high levels of unemployment in recent years.

There have also been some unpleasant incidents there involving the stars of the show.

In 2016, Spanish dancer Gorka Marquez lost two teeth in a bust-up in the town while he was there to film Strictly.

There were also reports of thieves stealing valuables from the dressing rooms in 2013.

The Strictly Come Dancing celebrities perform their first group dance to Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston's 'It Takes Two'

Most Read In TV & Showbiz