For four seasons, Johannes Radebe has been competing in both the South African and British bouts of popular celebrity dance series, Strictly Come Dancing.

While he has not taken the iconic Glitterball trophy home, he is not backing down in the 17th season of the UK version.

While Strictly Come Dancing was not a pursuit Radebe could have imagined as a child it has become a platform for him to strive in the world.

“I’m living in a sparkling world,” he enthuses. The Free State-born dancer credits perseverance as the winning recipe for his road to success.

The opportunity has been one of many career defining moments for Radebe who shares his excitement of being on the Strictly Come Dancing UK stage not only with his fellow cast mates but the many celebrities whom they have danced with, especially with Australian-born pop star, Kylie Minogue.

“The 12-year-old Johannes would be screaming!” he laughs excitedly also sharing his glee for an upcoming performance including Emeli Sande.

Legend for its harsh critic, the British version has been famed for its a no holds barred judging which Radebe and his partner, British actress Catherine Tyldesley, have been climbing as top scorers of the competition.

Radebe has also earned himself sentiment as a top runner mostly in part for his “refreshing” take on choreography which he allows Tyldesley to inspire her take on each dance style.

Radebe shares that his winning approach has been playing the music and choreographing according to how Tyldesley interprets each of the styles.

“I just want to say thank you to my people,” he says of web-posts that he has come across throughout the competition and have become a source of encouragement, “it can feel very lonely but just knowing I am doing us proud, this competition is anyone’s for the taking.”

The current season of Strictly Come Dancing UK airs on Sundays at 7pm on BBC Brit channel 120.