Strictly Come Dancing professional Nikita Kuzmin has moved to reassure fans about Johannes Radebe's dancing future following the announcement of his new presenting role on the BBC One show.
The 28-year-old Ukrainian dancer addressed questions about whether his colleague would continue performing now that he's joining the hosting team.
"Jojo will never stop dancing," Mr Kuzmin stated confidently.
speaking on Tuesday's Good Morning Britain, he added: "You know what I mean? He's Johannes. I mean, I'm sure he will present. Johannes will be fantastic at whatever he does."
Josh Widdicombe, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe were confirmed as Strictly presenters on Tuesday following months of speculation | BBCThe comments came after viewers expressed uncertainty about what Mr Radebe's transition to presenting would mean for his involvement as a professional dancer on the programme.
The presenting shake-up was confirmed last week, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Radebe announced as the new faces of the ballroom competition this autumn.
The trio will take over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who stepped down from their hosting duties last year.
Ms Daly had been with the show since it launched in 2004, while Ms Winkleman joined as co-presenter a decade later in 2014.
Nikita Kuzmin reassured BBC Strictly fans about Johannes Radebe
| BBCMr Kuzmin expressed his enthusiasm for the incoming team, describing them as "absolutely epic" and noting the special connection the professionals have with Mr Radebe.
"Obviously Tess and Claudia are legendary," he said.
"So, like, to go with Emma, Josh and Jojo is absolutely epic. And plus, Jojo. You know, we know Jojo so well. It's just so, so lovely."
Mr Radebe himself has put any doubts to rest in behind-the-scenes footage shared on Strictly's Instagram story.
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Johannes Radebe will serve as a roving reporter throughout the show | BBCWhen co-host Mr Widdicombe asked how he felt about stepping away from the dancing team to interview contestants instead, the 39-year-old was emphatic about his intentions.
"Listen, I'm not hanging up my dancing shoes as yet. That I'm definitely not doing," he declared.
"I mean, I cannot. What is my life without a Cha Cha Cha?"
Mr Widdicombe responded with characteristic humour: "Oh, I feel the same. That's how I feel every morning."
Emma Willis was confirmed as one of Strictly's new presenters | GETTYIn the same clip, both new presenters discussed the surreal nature of their appointment, with The Last Leg star admitting "it doesn't feel real" and Mr Radebe agreeing wholeheartedly.
The three incoming hosts have been candid about their nerves ahead of taking on such an iconic television role.
Ms Willis, 50, described her physical reaction to the prospect, saying her stomach was "flipping consistently" and comparing it to the jelly-like sensation dancers must experience before performing the cha cha.
"It's petrifying but I can't tell you how exciting it is," Mr Radebe admitted, while Ms Willis predicted the trio would simply "laugh a lot" through the experience.
Mr Widdicombe offered a self-deprecating assessment of his position alongside his new colleagues, joking that he'd been "booked to present something with two of the most striking people on television and I look like me."
The comedian added that he anticipated the opening episode would mark the first time in Strictly history where the presenters were more nervous than the dancers.