Fans of Strictly Come Dancing are convinced a bitter feud is forming between pro-dancer Johannes Radebe and judge Anton Du Beke.

The long-running BBC show has been under something of a dark cloud this year since Amanda Abbington accused her 2023 dance partner Giovanni Pernice of being abusive behind-the-scenes of the show – accusations he long refuted and of which the BBC later cleared him of. So now viewers have been searching for clues of other secret feuds behind all the glitz and glamour of the dance competition.

This weekend, some viewers became convinced they could see a bit of tension between Johannes, 37, and Anton, 58. Tensions appeared to flare after Johannes and his celebrity partner, Gladiators star Montell Douglas, 38, took to the floor to perform.

The pair received glowing reviews from the judges – securing 33 out of a possible 40 points. However, eyebrows were raised when Johannes revealed he had been trying not to get a rise out of Anton.

Johannes and Montell Douglas scored well on Saturday night ( 
Image:
BBC)

Speaking to host Claudia Winkleman after the performance, viewers were surprised to hear the Traitors star comment: “What I love about JoJo is that your main aim – and he doesn’t know this – was not to get a demonstration from Anton.” Johannes confirmed this was his objective and joked: “I said to Montell at the beginning of the week that the last thing I want to see is Anton standing up and reminding us of how to go into hold for the thousandth time.”

Saturday saw the pair receive a warm review from Anton, who described it as his “favourite dance of the night”. But viewers were convinced Johannes’ and Claudia’s exchange hinted at tension between the two.

One wrote on social media: “JoJo roasting Anton.” A second added: “Good to know that Johannes has also had enough of Anton.” And another fan wrote: “Johannes kinda real as f*** for that we don’t need an Anton demo every week.” While a furhter fan added: “JoJo calling Anton out.”

Elsewhere in Saturday night’s episode, fans were surprised to see Katya Jones slap the hand of Wynne Evans off her when he placed his palm on her stomach in the green room. But the Russian answer has hit back at a backlash that threatens to engulf her celebrity partner.

She said in a video statement released via social media on Sunday: “I need to make something crystal clear. The hand incident that happened on Saturday night was a very silly inside joke between Wynne and I. So even the idea that it made me feel uncomfortable or offended in any way is complete nonsense. It’s actually absurd.”

She added: “So let’s focus on how brilliantly @wynneevans is doing and what an amazing dancer he’s becoming!” On Saturday night, Wynne and Katya scored 34 from the judges after they performed a Tango to the sound of the Strictly house band singing Money, Money, Money by ABBA.