Former Coronation Street star Catherine Tyldesley gave a dignified response after a Strictly Come Dancing viewer said they wouldn't be watching while same-sex couples are competing.
Cath, who competed on Strictl y in 2019, clapped back over a tweet accusing the BBC of 'driving an agenda.'
This series John Whaite, who won the Great British Bake Off back in 2012, will be one half of the long-running dance contest's first all-male partnership since it launched in 2004.
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Last year Olympic gold medallist boxer Nicola Adams and pro dancer Katya Jones made Strictly history as the BBC One show's first same-sex partnership.
The viewer wrote: "I'm sure this comment will cause howls of anger, but I won't be watching Strictly Come Dancing, this season until any same-gender dancers are eliminated.
"I really don't care what people do in private why should I? I just don't want to watch it. #WokeBBC driving an agenda."
Cath, who danced with Johannes Radebe and finished the competition in the sixth week, responded: "You won’t be missed.
"May you find peace and light someday. You must be deeply unhappy in yourself and I will pray for you sir."
She added: "May your sad soul someday find love and joy. God bless."
Fans praised the 38-year-old actress from Walkden for her polite response.
"Oh Catherine, well said lovely lady. Dignified and polite," one said.
"Well said Catherine," congratulated another.
During the 2019 series Johannes sent fans wild when he performed a same-sex professional dance with Graziano Di Prima.
During a recent appearance on Steph's Packed Lunch, John referenced Johannes, Graziano Di Prima, Aljaz Skorjanec and Kai Widdrington as potential matches.
"They're the four I think who are tall enough for me. But they might give me a shorter dancer and put him in heels. But I'm really hoping I get to do a dance in heels," John joked.
Lifting the lid on his dancing skills ahead of his debut, John admitted that it was a massive honour to be asked to show off his moves.
"It's a massive honour,” he told host Steph McGovern.
“If I'd seen two lads or lasses dancing together on Saturday night TV and nobody made a fuss about it, I don't think I'd have grown up with quite so much shame for being gay.
"I just hope there are kids out there watching who don't even question it, who watch it and think, I am who I am and I'm comfortable with that.
"I hope they think I'm accepted and loved and can be loved for who I am.
"It's a massive privilege."
