Strictly Come Dancing is back on screens this weekend. Celebrities will be matched with professional dancers on the ballroom floor, showing off their moves.
For 17 series, the dancing partners have been mixed-sex, but this could change in future series.
The BBC has said they are open to same-sex pairings between the celebrities and professional dancers on the show.
However, a DUP politician argues that the potential format change could "ruin it for family viewing".
The Claim
While there will be no same-sex dancing couples on this year's Strictly, the BBC has said they are " completely open" to them competing in future shows.
This is a change of position for the BBC. In previous years, they said they had no plans to change the mixed-sex format.
A spokesman for the broadcaster said: "Strictly Come Dancing is an inclusive show and we are proud to have featured same-sex dancing amongst the professional dancers in group numbers in previous series.
"We are completely open to the prospect of including same-sex pairings between our celebrities and professional dancers in the future, should the opportunity arise."
The Counterclaim
However, not everyone would welcome the change to Strictly's format. DUP's Jim Wells told the Belfast Telegraph that he would stop watching the show if they included same-sex dancing couples.
The MLA for South Down described the ideas as a "reprobate" step.
He said: "Now we've decided to introduce same-sex partners as demanded by the LGBT community.
"This goes out at 7.30pm on a Saturday evening when families want to sit down and watch something that won't be challenging, won't ask any awkward questions, won't be embarrassing. It's going to ruin it for family viewing.
"Once you get past the watershed, there's plenty of programmes that cater for the demands of the LGBT community."
Wells added: "Why are we damaging what has been seen as sacrosanct?"
The Facts
Strictly Come Dancing will return on Saturday night (September 7). The launch show for the 17th series of the dance show will air on BBC One at 7.10pm.
The launch show is pre-recorded, airing a few weeks before the live shows get underway on September 21.
It gives the celebrities and their professional dancing partner a fortnight to rehearse and learn the moves for the first live show.
The pairings will be revealed during the launch show, but all 15 celebrity contestants have been announced.
They include actors, comics, sportspeople, and other media personalities, such as RuPaul's Drag Race judge Michelle Visage, BBC Breakfast reporter Mike Bushell, former England goalkeeper David James, and Viscountess Emma Weymouth, among others.
New judge Motsi Mabuse will replace Dame Darcey Bussell on the judging panel, who left after seven series. Mabuse, who is currently a judge on the German version of Strictly, will join fellow judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli.
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman also return to their presenting duties.
