AN ex Strictly couple have reunited outside the Attitude Awards after a shock confession.
John Whaite admitted to “falling in love” with his celeb partner after they were part of the first-ever male same-sex pairing in 2021.
The Bake Off winner and presenter revealed how he “still loves” Johannes and how he nearly became a victim of the “Strictly curse”.
The duo reached the final but were beaten by Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice.
After being matched during the competition, John and Johannes both spoke very highly of one another.
Then last night, at the Attitude Awards, the pair reunited and could be seen outside of the Camden venue engaged in conversation.
Johannes looked stylish in a light green suit, tie and cap, and Bake Off star John was seen in leather trousers and an open black shirt.
The former dancing duo appeared in good spirits as they chatted outdoors at the awards.
Opening up about what actually went down during his time on Strictly, John previously told The Times: “I fell in love with him [Johannes].
“I can’t speak for him – because I’m not allowed to, legally – but it felt like there was love there.
“We had such similar stories growing up – the homophobia, the bullying, coming out, coming to terms with our sexuality – as any queer kid would.”
He then stated: “I still love Johannes. Of course I do.”
The baker and TV star admitted he briefly split from his fiancé and partner of 16 years, Paul Atkins, after his time on Strictly came to an end.
John was honest about his feelings towards Johannes to his partner Paul, which resulted in them agreeing on some “time apart”.
After the baker finished competing in the dance show, Paul moved back in with his parents.
John said he “sat on the patio, drinking bottle after bottle of sauvignon blanc”.
The couple managed to put the past behind them, with John telling The Times: “I look at Paul and what he’s put up with over the years and how he’s nurtured me and stood by me, and who would throw that away? I couldn’t.”
John said at the time that he and Johannes still talk on the odd occasion but would cut all contact if it became “tricky” for Paul.
In an unearthed interview from January last year, Johannes spoke about The Great British Bake Off star and their bond in a candid chat on the podcast Reign with Josh Smith.
The professional dancer said at the time: “I have fallen in love with my art form again because of John. The opportunity to be so creative with what we had to come up with every week.
“I was trying to figure things out as I was going along. Not once did he make me feel otherwise. In my moments of doubt, John just stood by me and waited for me to figure it all out. And I can’t tell you that patience, I’m in love with the man.”
Johannes continued: “I know he’s a married man – soon to be – but let me tell you something, people come into your life and you just don’t know how you’ve been doing without them this entire time.
“And that has been John for me, a really, really lovely lad. I can’t tell you, he’s the nicest person you’re ever gonna meet in your whole entire life.”
