Strictly Come Dancing’s ‘majestic’ same-sex waltz leaves viewers in floods of tears
Strictly dancers Johannes Radebe and Kai Widdrington knocked it out of the park (YouTube/BBC Strictly Come Dancing)
Strictly Come Dancing had viewers in tears with a heart-wrenchingly beautiful same-sex performance that’s been dubbed the “best group dance ever”.
The show’s professional dancers opened Saturday night’s episode (9 October) with a stunning a Bridgerton-style period routine set to a classical rendition of Taylor Swift’s “Lover” and “Love Story”.
The dancers began in mixed-sex pairings before pausing as Johannes Radebe descended the stairs to meet his dance partner Kai Widdrington. After offering him his hand, the pair led the other couples in a breathtaking same-sex waltz that blew the audience away.
Radebe was seen crying at the end of the dance – and he wasn’t the only one. Fans at home were moved to tears by the beautiful routine and quickly took to social media to share their praise.
One tweet read: “Crying is an understatement! Absolutely outstanding, emotional and wonderful. I cannot say how happy and proud I am that my kids don’t see this as a big deal (although they absolutely loved it) but this really matters. So much. Thank you Strictly.”
TV presenter Bobby Seagull said: “Majestic and mesmeric. Thank you Johannes and Kai for opening our Saturday Strictly movie night with that stunning dance”.
“BREAKING NEWS: Johannes has been hospitalised after breaking his back from carrying the entire series of Strictly Come Dancing,” added another.
Me too, I had tears streaming down my cheeks by the end of this routine.
— Alan Holder-Twomlow (@A_HolderTwomlow) October 10, 2021
I was crying too. Tears of joy, tears of sheer envy. I have been caught out by the intensity of my emotions. I know I’m just a soppy old queen but this, to me, is more important than I’d ever imagined.
I just wish all this had happened 40 years ago when I really needed it to.
— Peter Martin Baggett ?️? (@elektromote) October 10, 2021
Johannes is a spectacular dancer and both his dances on Saturday were extremely powerful performances. I don’t care who he dances with he has something special about him but I must say the same sex dances he’s performed were extraordinary. ?
— Susanne ???????? (@SusanneLowe17) October 10, 2021
Johannes kills me. Such a beautiful, strong, sensational dancer and then he cries and I crumple.
— Lucy Dimbylow (@lucywriter) October 9, 2021
That was stunningly beautiful on so many levels????????
— Ash & Boone (@ash_redkap) October 9, 2021
I must say I was dubious at first…… didnt want gay rights a constant topic on this show…just wanted fab dancing…and my god was this beautiful….. bought a tear to my eye….so do what ya gotta do every sat …you have my vote….
— lorraine johnson (@lorrainejohnso2) October 10, 2021
Same sex dancing is like same sex marriage: once it’s here, it seems so natural and right it’s hard to imagine why it ever never was.#Strictlypic.twitter.com/7g5d4eq7lM
— Matthew Hodson (@Matthew_Hodson) October 10, 2021
Later in the episode, Johannes and his parter John Whaite topped the leaderboard with a stunning Paso Doble that earned them the highest ever score awarded by four judges in week three – 39, just one off a perfect score.
Watch the full routine on YouTube below. Strictly Come Dancing continues Sunday 10 October at 7.10pm on BBC One.
