The first ever same-sex dance routine shown on a recent episode of Strictly Come Dancing received almost 200 complaints.
Earlier this month, professional dancers Johannes Radebe and Graziana di Prima performed together in a groundbreaking moment for the BBC series.
BBC News said that the channel received official complaints following the dance, with one saying they found “two men dancing as a pair” to be “offensive”.
According to The Guardian, the BBC received 189 complaints about Radebe and di Prima’s performance. One viewer reportedly said they wouldn’t watch the show again if the same-sex pairing became a regular occurrence.
Upon the announcement that same-sex professionals could be shown dancing together in this year’s series, former judge Len Goodman said he’s an “old traditionalist” and expressed uncertainty about the decision.
“I like it as it was, but everything moves on,” he said, predicting: “If they do it, there’ll be people saying, ‘I’m not going to watch it any more’.”
Six professionals previously danced in same-sex partnerships during a group performance last year, but Radebe and di Prima’s dance marked the first time an individual same-sex couple have appeared alongside one another.
In August, the BBC said it was “completely open to the prospect of including same-sex pairings between our celebrities and professional dancers in the future, should the opportunity arise”.
Radebe came crashing out of the competition earlier this month following the elimination of Coronation Street‘s Catherine Tyldesley. Di Prima hasn’t been competing.
Michelle Visage was the latest celebrity to leave the dancing competition
Find a full list of this year's contestants here.
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