Nearly 200 Strictly Come Dancing viewers complained after the show aired its first ever same-sex dance on Sunday November 3's results show.
Despite Johannes Radebe and Graziano Di Prima's beautiful barefoot routine winning plaudits and rave reviews on Twitter, 189 viewers found it so offensive they actually complained to the BBC.
In data released every two weeks by the broadcaster, nearly 200 people found the routine "offensive to feature two men dancing as a pair".
In a statement defending its decision to feature a same-sex dance, the BBC said: " Strictly Come Dancing is an inclusive show and is proud to have been able to facilitate the dance between Johannes and Graziano during the Professionals' dance.
"They are dancers first and foremost, and their sex had no bearing on their routine."
Johannes told Hello! magazine ahead of the performance: "I've never felt so liberated. For the first time in my life, I feel accepted for who I am. That says so much about the people of this country."
He went on: "To be able to dance with a friend I respect and adore is joyous. There's bromance galore between us, but there were no male and female roles, just free movement. It was beautiful, classy and elegant."
He and Graziano performed to Emeli Sandes' Shine while wearing grey-blue shirts and trousers, and grinned at each other as they moved seamlessly across the dancefloor.
And fans flocked to Twitter to gush over the dance.
One tweeted: "SAME SEX COUPLES ON STRICTLY FINALLY #Strictly @bbcstrictly #yaaaaaas."
Another commented: "Same sex dancing on strictly?! Bloody loving it! #Strictly."
And a third remarked: "Graziano and Johannes. I have no words. This is just too much for me and beautiful. I can actually feel tears in my eyes. #Strictly."
*Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday at 7pm on ITV
