Strictly star Johannes Radebe felt like he had been “punched in the face” after being “treated like a criminal” and stopped by police for “looking suspicious” during the show’s UK tour.

Strictly Come Dancing star Johannes Radebe has revealed he was stopped by police during the show’s UK tour because he “looked suspicious”.

The 36-year-old South African dancer recalled being accosted by officers outside a venue and said it felt like a “slap in the face” to be treated like a criminal.

In an excerpt from his autobiography, JOJO Finally Home receives from The mirror Johannes wrote: “A police car pulled into the parking lot where I was sitting.”

“When they came by, I showed my ID. “Is something wrong?” I asked one of them. “No, you look suspicious and resemble someone we’re looking for.”

“Maybe they were doing their job, but the fact that I had just stood on stage with thousands of people chanting my name and was now being accosted by police officers who thought I might be a criminal felt like a slap in the face Face on.”

Candid: Strictly Come Dancing star Johannes Radebe, 36, has revealed he was stopped by police during the show’s UK tour because he “looked suspicious”.

Showman: The South African dancer recalled being accosted by officers outside a venue and said being treated like a criminal felt like a “slap in the face” (pictured in BBC show).

It came after the star broke down in tears while speaking on Thursday’s Loose Women about his mother Jacobeth, who he said was “alone”.

Johannes cried as he delved into the backstory of his autobiography, which covers the experiences and challenges he faced growing up with a passion for dance in Zamdela, South Africa.

Looking back on his childhood, the Latin master said: “It’s so far from the life I live now, I can take care of my family, my mother is comfortable.”

“I was bullied because I was a bit cheerful and flamboyant. Dance was my refuge. I hated school, but I’m so grateful to my teacher for challenging people.

Speaking about his sexuality, he said: “It was even disapproved of by some of my family members, but now I am fortunate enough to have it accepted.”

“While I was writing the book, I sat down and she was interviewed and I asked her questions like, ‘Why did you make that decision? Why did you stay in a marriage that wasn’t serving you for so long?”

Johannes choked up as he said, “I have only recently come to terms with what happened to the past.”

“Because I had the opportunity to hear my mother’s side.”

Emotional: It comes after the star broke down in tears while speaking on Thursday’s Loose Women about his mother Jacobeth, who he said was “alone”.

Family: The professional dancer appeared on the show to talk about his new book Jojo: Home at Last and his close relationship with his mother

Panelist Katie Piper asked, “Was it difficult to talk to your mom about this?”

John became emotional and replied, “That was it.” It was. And I dedicated the book to my mother because I want to honor her love.

“Great things have happened in my life but my family is never there to enjoy it with me, my mother is alone and that is the reality but I am so happy and proud of her.”

Earlier this year, Johannes spoke about his “terrible” time at school in South Africa, where he endured homophobic physical and verbal abuse.

The dancer was open about his sexuality during his time on the hit BBC competition and was chosen as Strictly’s first same-sex couple in 2021 alongside baker John Whaite.

But growing up in Zamdela township near Johannesburg, Johannes said he had to “duck and dive” from bullies who called him a “sissy boy” and “beat him often”.

Heartbreaking: Growing up, Johannes suffered homophobic physical and verbal abuse

Tears in his eyes: “It was even frowned upon by some of my family members, but now I am in the fortunate position that it is accepted,” Johannes said

Speak with The guard Speaking about his latest solo project, a tour titled “Freedom Unleashed,” Johannes explained that despite the bad times, he is still “covered in love from his mother.”

He said: “I had to duck and dive.” School was terrible. She [the bullies] always said to me, “Oh, sissy boy!”

The dancer added that if he got far enough away he would hit her back with a cheeky retort: ​​”But if I had been close I would have gotten punched, which I often did.”

Johannes also added that he still has friends in his native South Africa who still suffer homophobic abuse and that he is happy to live in the UK.

“You still have a long way to go, but people are making space to live together,” he added.