star gave a rousing speech to thousands of young people at Duke of Edinburgh event at overseen by Prince Edward on Monday.
The 35-year-old South African dancer encouraged the audience of teenagers and young adults to ‘dream huge’ as he spoke about enduring bullying at school, and racist and homophobic abuse on his journey to stardom on the much-loved BBC One series.
He looked dapper in a smart pin-striped blue suit as he joined the Earl of Wessex for the festival-style celebrations for new gold award holders on the grounds of Buckingham Palace.
Johannes recalled being offered a role on Strictly in 2018 before becoming half of the first all-male couple when he partnered with former Bake Off champ last year.
He said it was the importance of on-screen representation and his love for ballroom dancing that emboldened him to remain on the dance floor rather than being ‘tempted to hide away from the world’ after receiving abusive messages.
‘Each of these moments also had its challenges,’ he told the crowd (via ).
‘Though I have been blown away by the love and support I’ve received from the public, I also received vile messages of racist and homophobic abuse. Faced with such hate, I could have been tempted to hide from the world as I had once tried to do as a child.
‘But dance had taught me that I belong. That I deserve to take up space. And I knew other young gay black men watching me on their television screens needed to hear that message too – as I often say, you can’t be what you can’t see.
‘That is what gave me the resilience to get back on the dancefloor.’
As he congratulated the 3,000 Gold Award holders, who were joined by family and friends, he concluded: ‘Don’t dream big. Dream huge. Because you have already proven to yourself that the sky is the limit – the world your dancefloor.
‘And just think who you might be inspiring simply by being yourself. If I can make history by slaying the stage in heels, a fan and a thousand sequins, just imagine what you can do. This, my darlings, is just the beginning.’
Prince Edward described Johannes’s message as ‘very inspiring’ and told the audience: ‘I hope you’ll all take that message with you as you go on through life.’
The Queen’s youngest son is trustee of the youth scheme established by the late Prince Phillip.
Other guest speakers at the event this week will include TV presenter , actress , and entrepreneur and former Apprentice winner – who are all award holders.
