Strictly Come Dancing star Johannes Radebe has revealed how he overcame homophobic bullying while growing up in South Africa.
The professional dancer, who wowed fans when he performed an epic routine in high-heeled boots last weekend, is winning hearts with former Coronation Street star Catherine Tyldesley on the BBC One dance show.
During an interview on Loose Women, panellist Jane Moore asked about reports that he was bullied as a child over his love of dancing.
He replied: "I think any boy who tries to dance or does any form of what I do, will always get some kind of criticism or rejection or anything negative."
Johannes, who appeared on the South African version of Strictly before joining the UK version in 2018, explained that it was his mother who helped him to get through the ordeal.
He said: "I think mama. Whatever things used to happen and be said to me outside home, when I walked into the yard she made sure that I got all the loving, and reminded me that there's nothing wrong with me and that I'm special."
And Jane told him: "You're definitely having the last laugh by the way."
This weekend he and dance partner Cath from Walkden, who played Eva Price on Corrie , will perform a Cha Cha to the Steps song Scared Of The Dark.
Reflecting on how much she's enjoyed her Strictly experience so far, an emotional Cath said: "This man has changed my life and a huge part of why I love it so much."
