Johannes Radebe felt “liberated” when he danced with Graziano Di Prima on Strictly Come Dancing at the weekend.
The 32-year-old professional dancer felt honoured to perform with his best friend in the show’s first all-male routine and it made him feel truly “accepted”.
Read more: Strictly’s Oti Mabuse hits back at claims Shirley Ballas made her cry on show
He told HELLO! magazine: “I’ve never felt so liberated. For the first time in my life, I feel accepted for who I am.
“That says so much about the people of this country. To be able to dance with a friend I respect and adore is joyous.
“There’s bromance galore between us, but there were no male and female roles, just free movement. It was beautiful, classy and elegant.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4anP3yHiHn/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
And the Latin champion admitted being teamed with former Coronation Street star Catherine Tyldesley on the show had helped with his confidence.
He said: “Aunty Cath, as I call her, has been supportive of me from the start.
“It was my first time to be paired with a dance partner and I didn’t want to fail her. That was my biggest fear. I wanted to make sure I gave her the best experience of her life.
“But I was so lucky to be paired up with the UK’s sweetheart. She was on Team Johannes from day one. She made me believe in myself more.
“All of a sudden it was like, just be who you are; don’t worry about anything.
“It’s so lovely to be embraced for who I am, to not have to hold back.”
Read more: Strictly Come Dancing: Fans vow to BOYCOTT after Mike Bushell saved again
Though the pair were voted off the show last week, they have vowed to be “friends for life”.
Catherine said: “We just clicked from the start. As well as being a wonderful teacher, he has the most genuine beautiful soul.
“He’s kind, honest and giving with everyone he meets and I trust him implicitly. I tell him stuff I wouldn’t tell most people. We’re friends for life and I feel so grateful to have found him.”