Major Strictly dancer to star in Kinky Boots musical for 2025 UK tour (2024)

One ofStrictly Come Dancing's biggest stars will be centre stage on this year's Kinky Boots tour, after bagging the main role in the musical.

Johannes Radebe will be taking on the central role of Lola the drag queen for his musical debut in the play, which is inspired byCyndi Lauper'siconic music.

Led by former Billy Elliot director, Nikolai Foster, the professional dancer is set to take stage in venues dotted around the country from February until July 2025.

Joining Johannes will be seasoned West End star Dan Partridge, who is taking on the role of shoe factory owner, Charlie Price.

Kinky Boots centres around the unlikely friendship formed between drag queen and cabaret performer Lola and Charlie - who has recently inherited the factory from his late father.

As the pair come together to devise a collection of high-heeled boots for drag queens in an attempt to save the business, Lola and Charlie realise they have more in common than they once thought.

After revealing Johannes would be taking the title role in the Curve production, chief executive Christ Stafford told Radio Times: 'We all know Johannes for his extraordinary artistry on the dance floor.

'But seeing him inhabit the astonishing world of Lola in Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper's proud, punchy and passionate Kinky Boots has been an electrifying and profoundly moving experience.'

80s pop superstar Cyndi also chimed in on this year's production of the play, explaining that Kinky Boots was one of her proudest accomplishments.

She added: 'It's like a happy pill – and we could all use some of that right now!

'I can't think of a better time or place to relaunch this special show (than) in its place of origin.'

The huge career move comes shortly after Johannes revealed his memoir is being adapted into a film.

Johannes Radebe, who joined the BBC show in 2018, penned a memoir titled JoJo: Finally Home last year, and the novel will act as a basis for the movie.

The film, which is being produced Arrested Industries and Helena Spring Films, will feature musical numbers choreographed by Johannes himself, but will not be an outright musical.

According to Deadline, the film will be 'packed with heart, great music, wonderful costumes and big dance numbers.'

Johannes, who will act as executive producer, candidly detailed his struggles going up in poverty in South Africa, and the prejudice he faced for pursuing his passion for dance in his memoir.

Kinky Boots tickets will be available to customers from 10am on April 12.

The majority of the venue tickets will be available via ATG tickets, however if certain venues are not on the site, you are advised to visit the specific venue website.