Entertainment

Johannes Radebe leads Strictly drag tribute to Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert

The professional dancer was the star of the opening number.
The professional dancer was the star of the opening number. The professional dancer was the star of the opening number.

Strictly Come Dancing professionals Johannes Radebe, Gorka Marquez and Giovanni Pernice have stunned fans with a tribute to Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert.

The trio performed in drag with make-up, high heels and turbans to kick off musicals week on the BBC One show.

They appeared in sequinned tops and flares before their trousers were ripped off to reveal mini dresses.

The routine concluded with Radebe posing in a giant pink stiletto, which is the symbol of the hit show.

University Challenge star and Strictly fan Bobby Seagull wrote on Twitter: “What a spectacular #Strictly musical night. If only the world were more Johannes, what a wonderful place it would be all the time! @jojo_radebe you are a true Strictly ICON.”

Another viewer wrote: “Can we just have Johannes special already.”

Another said: “Johannes is the best thing to happen to #Strictly in ages! I could not love him more!”

Another wrote: “I could watch an entire hour of Johannes, Gio and Gorka doing a Priscilla tribute!”

Musical impresario Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber made an appearance on the programme as he watched over rehearsals on the stage at the London Coliseum and discussed the coronavirus’s impact on theatres.

He said: “Covid has had a devastating effect on theatre and live music and any kind of live entertainment and our wonderful theatres, which are just such sources of joy and wonder, have been empty for months now.

“None of us can wait until theatre goes live again.

“I think Strictly is the perfect tonic for the country at all times but I think right now Strictly paying tribute to musical theatre is absolutely what we, who have been working in this business for so long, is exactly what we want.

“For one night only, musicals are back where they belong.”