Johannes Radebe has been left gutted as his family were forbidden from entering the UK.
The Strictly Come Dancing favourite’s relatives missed the opening night of his brand new show due to tough visa restrictions. The South African-born dance sensation was hoping to have his mum and siblings in the audience for the opening of his House of JoJo tour at the London Palladium.
However, they couldn’t make it because of the stringent immigration policies enforced by PM Rishi Sunak’s government. Johannes’ disappointment was palpable when he shared with his fans that his mother Jacobeth had been looking forward to the event for months, only to be let down by the visa complications.
READ MORE: Strictly’s Johannes Radebe had ‘special’ moment with John Whaite as he said he ‘fell in love’
READ MORE: Click for more brilliant Daily Star TV stories
Despite the setback, the Strictly professional is keeping his spirits up, pinning his hopes on his family joining him later in Liverpool. During an emotional moment on Tuesday night (May 7), Johannes opened up to his London crowd, saying: “I was hoping that they were going to be here this evening, but [they can’t] because of visa issues.”
(Image: No credit)
The star reportedly had to fight back tears, as reported by The Sun, but managed to add: “Don’t even start. But it’s fine, she’ll make it to Liverpool.”, reports the Mirror. Daily Star has reached out to Johannes’ representatives for further details.
Elsewhere on the glitzy stage, Johannes was lavished with accolades by his ex-Strictly partner Annabel Croft, who’s now strutting her stuff on his tour. Annabel, fresh from her twirls in the 2023 series of Strictly Come Dancing, gushed over Johannes for letting her keep dancing well past her BBC gig.
(Image: PA)
She took to the mic and told the crowd: “Thank you so much for the honour to dance with your here at the Palladium.” This is beyond anybody’s dream, but to dance with you Johannes has been extraordinary. You gave me the most wonderful joyful, and most healing experience on Strictly. And I can’t thank you enough for that. You are such a special person, you sprinkle your magic everywhere, and I’m so thrilled to see it.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Johannes has since posted an emotional message on social media after his family were banned from entering the country. He shared a photograph of himself, his Annabel and the rest of the cast during the finale. Writing alongside it, he poignantly wrote: “For a moment like this. Thank you for the love and support. xxx.”
Replying Annabel told her Strictly partner: “Huge congratulations on realising your childhood dream and selling out two shows @thelondonpalladium – it was a spectacular show and an honour to have been on stage dancing with you.”
Want all the biggest Showbiz and TV news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our free Daily Star Showbiz newsletter
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
