Johannes Radebe supported by BBC Strictly partner Montell Douglas ahead of dance-off: 'I cried!'
Anton Du Beke shares his concern for Strictly dancer Vito Coppola's wedgie
BBC
Strictly pro Johannes Radebe has revealed he needed support from his celebrity dance partner Montell Douglas after the couple faced the dance-off.
Former Olympian and Gladiators star Douglas, 38, survived her first potential elimination of the series after her Waltz landed her fifth on the Week Seven leaderboard.
Douglas admitted she was “absolutely gutted” to have been in the bottom two.
Speaking to It Takes Two host Fleur East on Tuesday night, she explained: “It was really sad thinking that could be the last time we get to dance with each other.”
Radebe echoed her thoughts on the “really really sad” feeling of facing the dance-off.
He continued: “I found myself crumbling at the thought of not being in the same room with her (Douglas) on Monday and figuring out a dance.”
Douglas and Radebe's Waltz wasn't enough to keep them out of the dance-off
BBC
The 37-year-old dancer admitted he “cried” on the night when the pairs with the lowest votes were announced.
It fell on Douglas to rally their spirits, where her experience at the peak of sporting competition “really kicked in”.
The former Olympian channelled her winning mentality, repeatedly telling her partner their journey “wasn’t over”.
Radebe explained how, at that point, the teacher and student dynamic changed completely.
Douglas faced fellow contestant Sam Quek in the dance-off
BBC
“I felt like we were partners in that moment," he reflected.
The South African dancer described Douglas’ mental strength, adding it "made us stronger. It showed that we wanted to be here.”
The judges unanimously chose to save her and Radebe over former hockey player Sam Quek and pro dancer Nikita Kuzmin.
As much as they were relieved, the surviving couple were also very sorry to see their fellow contestants go.
Radebe explained: “When they saved us, we couldn’t celebrate in that moment because I know Montell was like, 'Nikita and Sam.'"
For Week Eight, Douglas will return to Latin dancing with a Paso Doble to Lola’s Theme by The Shapeshifters.
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Douglas said it was “no secret” Latin dances were her favourite and added: “I think it’s in my bones.”
As for advice for his partner, Radebe declared she pay attention to nothing else and “fight”.
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