Strictly fans hail John and Johannes ‘beacons for gay folk’ after becoming first same-sex finalists
Strictly’s John Whaite and Johannes Radebe danced to Adele during the semi-finals. (Screen capture via Twitter/BBC One)
Strictly Come Dancing fans have celebrated John Whaite and Johannes Radebe becoming the showās first same-sex finalists, calling them ābeacons for the gay communityā.Ā
Whaite and Radebe, who made history as the first all-male Strictly partnership, made it to the final after Sunday night’s (12 December) dance-off, having landed in the bottom two despite a pair of brilliant performances.
They took to the Strictly ballroom floor Saturday night (11 December) with a Couple’s Choice dance toĀ Adeleās Hometown Glory which they dedicated to the LGBT+ community.
“To the people who perhaps feel a bit afraid in life, I want those people to know that it gets better,” Whaite said.
They followed this withĀ a jive set to Higher Power by Coldplay, which they performed again for Sunday’s dance-off. All four judges saved Whaite and Radebe over Rhys Stephenson and pro Nancy Xu.
"To the people who perhaps feel a bit afraid in life, I want those people to know that it gets better"
š All our hearts are with you on the dance floor tonight, John and Johannes #Strictly @jojo_radebe pic.twitter.com/RV9XQtx6qF
— BBC Strictly āØ (@bbcstrictly) December 11, 2021
Strictly fans celebrated John Whaite and Johannes Radebe making it to the final, with one saying they could ādie happy nowā.
JOHN AND JOHANNES IN THE #STRICTLY FINAL, I CAN DIE HAPPY NOW š„³š„ŗšš„° pic.twitter.com/O7cLZAXG2u— Kate š (@Katelovescolour) December 12, 2021
What a final line up for #Strictly – and John and @jojo_radebe make me bawl every time. Theyāre a joy and absolute beacons for the gay community. Iām so glad and so proud of them. š³ļøāšššā¤ļø— Barry Brett-McStay (@bazmcstay) December 12, 2021
Another had an emotional response, calling Whaite and Radebe ābeacons for the gay communityā.Ā
They said on Twitter: āWhat a final line-up for Strictly – and John and Johannes make me bawl every time. Theyāre a joy and absolute beacons for the gay community. Iām so glad and proud of them.ā
14 year old me would have loved to see John and Johannes dancing in the Strictly final. In tough times it is important we take hope and joy when we can. Gay men dancing on mainstream TV is previously uncharted territory. This is progress. This is a moment for joy.— Simon Blake (@Simonablake) December 12, 2021
One Twitter user described Whaite and Radebe dancing on Strictly as āa moment for joyā.
They said: ā14 year old me would have loved to see John and Johannes dancing in the Strictly final. In tough times it is important we take hope and joy when we can.
āGay men dancing on mainstream TV is previously uncharted territory. This is progress. This is a moment for joy.ā
So many little queer kids' lives would have been just a little bit easier if they could have seen a couple like John and Johannes on mainstream primetime television being so proudly gay years ago. Such diamonds. #strictly
— Emma Kelly (@TooManyEmmas) December 11, 2021
Journalist Emma Kelly noted the pairās impact on LGBT viewers, saying, āso many little queer kidsā lives would have been just a little bit easier if they could have seen a couple like John and Johannes on mainstream primetime television being so proudly gay years ago”.
Before their performances on Saturday night,Ā Great British Bake Off winner Whaite reflected on his journey of coming out, explaining that a teacher outed him to his family at aged 14.
āI grew up with a great deal of shame and I think if Iād seen two men dancing together on television it would have changed my life,” he said.
Whaite previously admitted that he had previously anticipated trolling and hate mail for appearing on Strictly as a same-sex couple.
He told the BBC: āItās actually not been bad at all. Itās been kind and generous. The amount of people weāve had messages from saying: āIām proud as a straight mum and straight dad to have children grow up in a world where two men can dance together,ā has been truly overwhelming.ā
The Strictly Come DancingĀ final takes place on Saturday (18 December) at 7pm on BBC One.
