South African Strictly Come Dancing star Johannes Radebe will make his West End debut at the London Coliseum in March 2026, reprising his role as drag queen Lola in the Olivier and Tony award-winning musical Kinky Boots, marking a major career shift from television dance to musical theatre.
Johannes Radebe, the celebrated South African dancer known for his dynamic performances on Strictly Come Dancing, is poised to make his West End debut as the drag queen Lola in the acclaimed musical Kinky Boots. This Olivier and Tony award-winning production will open at the London Coliseum in March 2026, with Radebe reprising the role he began playing during the UK and Ireland tour in January 2025, marking his transition from television dance star to musical theatre performer.
Kinky Boots tells the uplifting story of Charlie Price, who inherits his family’s struggling shoe factory and, with Lola’s flamboyant and fearless support, reinvents the business by designing a line of striking high-heeled boots for drag performers. Radebe's portrayal of Lola is anticipated to bring his unique blend of dance prowess and stage charisma to this beloved narrative. The production is directed by Nikolai Foster and will play at the prestigious London Coliseum from 17 March until 11 July 2026.
Radebe’s journey into the spotlight began well before his West End debut. Born in South Africa, he built a formidable reputation as a dancer, becoming a two-time Professional South African Latin Champion and a three-time Amateur Latin South African Champion. Prior to his UK television debut on Strictly Come Dancing in 2018, he had already made history on Strictly Come Dancing South Africa, reaching the finals twice. His move to the UK version of the show showcased not only his exceptional talent but also his trailblazing spirit, particularly through his groundbreaking same-sex dance partnerships. In 2021, his partnership with John Whaite marked the first all-male pairing on the UK show, a step that was celebrated as a milestone for inclusivity in the competition.
Radebe’s rise has not been without challenges. His personal story includes overcoming significant adversity, including homophobia and bullying in his youth. Speaking to The Guardian, he reflected on these experiences, highlighting his resilience and unwavering dedication to his craft as key factors in his success. His visibility and achievements on Strictly have made him a beloved figure who continues to inspire many within and beyond the dance community.
The transition to musical theatre with Kinky Boots signals an exciting new chapter in Johannes Radebe’s career. As he steps onto the West End stage, audiences can expect a performance imbued with the same passion, energy, and authenticity that have defined his journey so far. His casting in such a prominent role also underscores the growing acceptance and celebration of diverse identities within the performing arts.
📌 Reference Map:
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is recent, with the earliest known publication date being 7 July 2025. The Standard's article from 11 April 2024 announced Radebe's casting in the UK and Ireland tour, but the West End debut at the London Coliseum was confirmed in July 2025. The report is not recycled and provides new information. The mention of the UK and Ireland tour in January 2025 is consistent with the timeline. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The narrative includes updated data about the West End production, justifying a higher freshness score. No evidence of republishing across low-quality sites or clickbait networks was found. The narrative is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. ([standard.co.uk](https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/strictly-come-dancing-johannes-radebe-musical-debut-kinky-boots-b1150768.html?utm_source=openai)) ([londontheatre.co.uk](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/news/johannes-radebe-to-make-west-end-debut-in-kinky-boots?utm_source=openai)) ([kinkybootslondon.com](https://kinkybootslondon.com/?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The direct quotes from Johannes Radebe and Cyndi Lauper are consistent with their previous statements. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, indicating original content. The wording matches their known public statements, with no variations found. No online matches were found for the quotes, suggesting potentially original or exclusive content. ([standard.co.uk](https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/strictly-come-dancing-johannes-radebe-musical-debut-kinky-boots-b1150768.html?utm_source=openai))
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Standard, a reputable UK news outlet. The information is corroborated by other reputable sources, including London Theatre and Theatre Weekly. No unverifiable entities are mentioned, and all individuals and organisations referenced have a public presence. ([londontheatre.co.uk](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/news/johannes-radebe-to-make-west-end-debut-in-kinky-boots?utm_source=openai)) ([theatreweekly.com](https://theatreweekly.com/kinky-boots-to-strut-into-the-west-end-with-johannes-radebe-at-the-london-coliseum/?utm_source=openai))
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about Johannes Radebe's casting in Kinky Boots at the London Coliseum are plausible and supported by multiple reputable sources. The timeline of events aligns with known schedules, and the details about the production are consistent with previous announcements. No supporting details are lacking from other reputable outlets. The language and tone are consistent with UK English and typical reporting on theatre productions. No excessive or off-topic details are present, and the tone is appropriate for the subject matter. ([londontheatre.co.uk](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/news/johannes-radebe-to-make-west-end-debut-in-kinky-boots?utm_source=openai)) ([theatreweekly.com](https://theatreweekly.com/kinky-boots-to-strut-into-the-west-end-with-johannes-radebe-at-the-london-coliseum/?utm_source=openai))
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is recent, original, and originates from a reputable source. The claims are plausible and supported by multiple reputable outlets. No significant credibility risks were identified.
