‘I worship him’: Caroline Quentin calls her Strictly partner Johannes Radebe ‘the greatest gift in an awful year’ as she recalls their time on the series
Caroline Quentin has called her Strictly Come Dancing partner Johannes Radebe ‘the greatest gift’ in ‘one of the most awful years’.
The actress, 60, took part in the 2020 series of the BBC show and became fast friends with professional dancer Johannes, 33.
Appearing on Thursday’s episode of Lorraine, Caroline said she ‘worships’ the South African dancer since they reached week five together on last year’s show.
Caroline Quentin has called her Strictly Come Dancing partner Johannes Radebe ‘the greatest gift’ in ‘one of the most awful years’
She said: ‘I just love him so much. In one of the most awful years, he’s been the greatest gift to me. I think the universe sent me him. I worship him.
‘I think he has to be one of the best dancers in the world. Dancing with him for those five weeks was a dream.’
Caroline and Johannes were eliminated in week five, with comedian Bill Bailey and his partner Oti Mabuse being crowned the winners of the series.
Elsewhere during the interview, Caroline also discussed her role on Netflix hit Bridgerton where she played Lady Berbrooke in one episode.
Partners: The actress, 60, took part in the 2020 series of the BBC show and became fast friends with professional dancer Johannes, 33
The TV star is keeping her fingers crossed she may return to the series in the future after it was renewed for a second season.
She said: ‘I keep thinking when is that call coming through to make a return visit? I really loved it. It was a great thing, everything was divine. Fingers crossed I’ll get a call and Lady Berbrooke will put her corset back on.’
Caroline spoke about the devastating impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on the theatre industry and said walking down Shaftesbury Avenue recently had been ‘devastating’.
She said: ‘I’m renting a flat in London at the moment and walking down Shaftesbury Avenue is devastating. There’s all those other businesses that live off the back of theatre.
Pals: Appearing on Thursday’s episode of Lorraine, Caroline said she ‘worships’ the South African dancer since they reached week five together on last year’s show
‘The whole of London life is served by our theatres and we reckon we bring about £8billion into the economy every year.
‘Apart from the financial benefits we get, the joy, the fun, the laughter, it’s an extraordinary thing. As time goes on we’re starting to realise without that, life can be pretty bleak.’
Caroline is joining forces with comedians Jayde Adams, Alex Brooker, Andi Osho and Jennifer Saunders to appear in Comic Relief’s Comic Opera for Red Nose Day on March 19.
Caroline said: ‘I just love him so much. In one of the most awful years, he’s been the greatest gift to me. I think the universe sent me him. I worship him’
The group have just 24 hours to rehearse before they perform Nessun Dorma in Italian in front of the nation.
Caroline said: ‘They’re helping five of us become opera singers in 24 hours. We have 24 hours to learn an Italian aria and perform it live on TV tomorrow night. ,
‘I don’t have any Italian but they’ve promised us they will help us learn it phonetically. I haven’t had a rehearsal with them yet but tomorrow night we will be singing Nessun dorma.’
She added: ‘I think he has to be one of the best dancers in the world. Dancing with him for those five weeks was a dream’