has responded to comments made by who when they competed on together.
Earlier this month former winner, 34, said he had fallen for Johannes, 36, after they on the BBC ballroom show in 2021.
In an interview, John, who was at the time, admitted: ‘I fell in love with him. I can’t speak for him – because I’m not allowed to, legally – but it felt like there was love there.
He continued: ‘So yes, I fell in love with Johannes. I still love Johannes. Of course I do.’
A few weeks after that admission was made, the professional dancer has now spoken about what was shared about their relationship.
Explaining how they’ve had a ‘beautiful experience’ together, Johannes stressed the platonic nature of their connection and added they would be ‘friends for life’ despite the feelings that formed.
‘We have gone on to have such a beautiful experience together that it would be a shame if we were not friends after all that,’ he said.
‘What we agreed is that, regardless of what life throws at us, we will always keep [this friendship] going,’ he added when speaking to .
Johannes then explained that he regularly told John they were ‘friends for life’.
‘I always say to him “I know where you live. You cannot get rid of me”, I still speak to him,’ he added.
However, in an extract of his upcoming memoir, Jojo: Finally Home, the dancer said he’d initially turned down the chance to be part of the series’ first male same-sex pairing because he wasn’t ‘comfortable’ and was ‘fearful’ of the response.
But after being persuaded by a producer, he changed his mind.
Looking forward Johannes said he was also now searching for a partner in his private life, which has come after a years-long struggle to accept his sexuality due to internalised homophobia.
‘I want a partner. I want one. I need one. Every aspect of my life is great except for that. I deserve love and I never, ever thought that I deserved to be loved in that way,’ he shared.
The BBC dancing series first introduced same-sex partners in 2020 when boxing champion Nicola Adams was paired with Kayta Jones, while Johannes and John were the first male same-sex pairing the following year.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC later this year.
