Strictly Come Dancing airs "emotional" Johannes Radebe scene during first live show after cast emerges

Johannes Radebe became somewhat emotional during the Strictly Come Dancing first live show as he welcomed this year's celebrities and their pros to the dance floor.

Following the applause from the audience, co-hosts Josh Widdicombe and Emma Willis jokingly consoled Radebe as he said he was slightly emotional, saying: "I have missed you all!"

Despite no longer being part of the professionals line-up, Jojo will still be busting a move on the dance floor as audiences saw during the live show opening number.

The professional dancers performed a group dance to Joy by Absolutely, Amma, and Raye before the hosts and judges made their entrance, but there was a special and short dance routine for JoJo as he got in on the action.

Following the funny moment, business as usual resumed as it was time for the first performance of the night from Will Best and Dianne Buswell.

Radebe, alongside Widdicombe and Willis were announced as the new hosts earlier this year, marking a new era for Strictly Come Dancing.

Radebe said in a statement at the time: "To be returning to Strictly Come Dancing in this new role is beyond anything I ever imagined. This show has always stood for joy, heart, and togetherness, and I feel deeply honoured to now help carry that magic forward.

"To do it alongside the formidable Emma Willis and the utterly brilliant Josh Widdicombe makes it even more special. I’m ready-sequins, nerves, and all... please bear with me. Love Jojo."

Contrary to previous reports, and as audiences have seen so far, Jojo will not be acting as a backstage "roving reporter".

Speaking with Richard Osman for The Rest Is Entertainment, Willis said: "There’s no like for like, so no one’s kind of replacing anybody and at the minute it’s all very kind of open. We’re having lots of production days where we go in and we play around and we’re kind of feeling each other out – well, they’re feeling us out really."

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday 26 September at 6:15pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

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Authors

Katelyn Mensah is the Senior Entertainment Writer for Radio Times, covering all major entertainment programmes, reality TV shows and the latest hard-hitting documentaries. She previously worked at The Tab, with a focus on reality TV and showbiz news and has obtained a BA (Hons) in Journalism.