John Whaite has revealed he would like to be paired with professional dancer Johannes Radebe on Strictly Come Dancing 2021.
The Great British Bake Off alum is set to make history as the first celebrity in an all-male same-sex couple.
Now John has discussed his upcoming history-making turn on the BBC One competition show with The Mirror and other media outlets.
When asked what he was looking for in a partner and if he had any specific professional dancers in mind, John did know exactly who he wanted: Johannes Radebe.
John answered: “I really want Johannes.”
He added that he thought it would be “really important for him” as being an openly gay dancer, due to it being a “powerful message”.
Yet, he noted that in future a same-sex pairing doesn’t necessarily need to be two gay men for an all-male couple.
However, John noted he would be “happy to dance with anyone”.
John added: “I think I just need someone who is compassionate, empathetic, and who won’t tolerate laziness.”
He noted that he had a history of “ballet and tap” but did not always dance very well when sober compared to when “pickled”.
The Bake Off star also admitted that he would not be baking cakes for the judges or his professional partner as that would be added judgement.
“I can’t take the pressure of the celebs judging my cakes as well as the judges judging my dancing,” admitted John, but noted he did accept homemade jam from The Crown star and fellow contestant Greg Wise.
John admitted there would be pressure no matter what despite thinking that “all eyes are going to be on us” being in the first all-male same-sex couple on the show.
However, he made the point that is “all about the dancing” above all else.
The chef also revealed that he had not spoken to Nicola Adams who was the first celebrity to join a same-sex couple on the show but had to depart early last year due to testing positive for Covid-19.
John hopes to at least make it to Halloween Week as he is “obsessed with Halloween” outside of the show too.
Will John manage to make it to Halloween Week? And who will John be paired up with?
*Strictly Come Dancing airs is launch show at 7.45pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
