A male same-sex couple look set to hit the dancefloor on this year’s Strictly, it has been revealed.
Bosses are keen to include a two-man team in the BBC1 ballroom contest after last year’s female same-sex pair – boxer Nicola Adams and professional dancer Katya Jones – proved a huge hit.
A show source revealed: “It’s top-secret, but the producers have plans for two men to dance together.”
They added: “There could be a female same-sex couple as well – because Nicola and Katya were so popular in 2020.”
It will be the first time two men compete for the Strictly crown, but not the first time two have danced on the show.
Pro dancer pals Johannes Radebe and Graziano Di Prima performed the first ever same-sex routine in 2019. It sparked 300 complaints, which were not upheld.
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There were also a small number of complaints about Nicola and Katya, but the Beeb also rejected those claims of “blatant projection of homosexuality”.
It said it was “proud” of its same-sex performances, adding: “The show is first and foremost about dance. The sex of each partner within a pairing should have no bearing on their routine.”
Judge Craig Revel Horwood said the complaints were ridiculous and welcomed the pairing, saying: “It’s about time and I think it’s absolutely brilliant.”
Last week it was revealed Strictly fans will get their “full fix” when the show returns in the early autumn.
The themed weeks, shelved last year due to Covid restrictions, will be back and bosses hope to have a live audience.
