The BBC has faced a backlash after saying its flagship entertainment programme, Strictly Come Dancing, will not permit same sex couples because it is a “family show”.
CJ de Mooi, from the BBC daytime quiz show Eggheads, said he was turned down by the show’s producers after he said he wanted to dance with a same sex partner.
Mr de Mooi said the show chose to include Eggheads presenter Jeremy Vine instead because of his request.
CJ de Mooi says he was snubbed because he wanted to dance with another man (Getty)
But the BBC’s response to this criticism that “Strictly is a family show and we have chosen the traditional format of mixed-sex couples” has led to outrage on social media.
Playing the 'family show' card in response to a sexuality based controversy is asking for trouble, quite frankly http://t.co/flhM6M77Pf
— Andrew (@apw1507) September 6, 2015
So it was because Strictly is a 'family show'... LGBT people exist in families, you know!Disappointed in the BBC. https://t.co/3Z0lug4j8l
— J (@Kingofjedlions) September 6, 2015
Wow. So Strictly has boy girl couples because it's a "family show". BBC sounding #stoneage
— Angus Quinn (@Angus_Quinn17) September 5, 2015
Wow.Outraged to hear #Strictly turned down @cjdemooi because he asked for a male partner & its 'a family show'.So what constitutes a family?
— Heather (@Hez2408) September 6, 2015
In an interview with the Daily Mirror, Mr de Mooi said he had first approached the producers of the show in March to take part but was told he was not needed in June.
He said: “I can’t believe they picked Jeremy over me. I’m quite upset. It’s because I wanted to dance in a same-sex couple.
“Someone at the BBC told me at least for the foreseeable future neither Strictly Come Dancing or the US version Dancing With The Stars will have a same-sex couple on. How disappointing.” Strictly Come Dancing 2015: Meet the contestants
A BBC spokesman told Newsbeat that it had never intended to include Mr de Mooi and always preferred Mr Vine
Another spokesman told the Independent: "To avoid any misinterpretation the reference to 'family show' - meaning all kinds of families - was only ever intended to describe the kind of show 'Strictly' is. It was not to explain casting decisions.”
