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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
James Brinsford

Strictly 'looking to Gillian Anderson and Jessie J for all-female couple'

Strictly Come Dancing is reportedly looking to sign a high-profile female celebrity to form same-sex pairing on the show.

The BBC dance competition wants to capitalise on the positive reaction to professional dancers Johannes Radebe and Graziano di Prima performing together for a number during the last series.

ITV's Dancing On Ice then upped the ante by having the first same-sex coupling when Ian 'H' Watkins from Steps was paired with pro skater Matt Evers.

They proved to be a big hit and almost made it to the final of the ice skating competition and now the pressure is on the Beeb to follow suit.

The Sun on Sunday has reported that Strictly bosses want a high-profile lesbian or bisexual female celeb to make up one half on the show's first same-sex pairing.

Jessie J is being targeted by Strictly bosses (Getty Images for FIJI Water)

It has been reported that pairing gay professional Johannes Radebe with another male celeb would be too "predictable."

A Strictly source told The Sun: "Obviously ‘diversity’ is the key word in television today and, of course, Strictly wants to be progressive.

“The plan is to have a same-sex couple, and two women. Dancing On Ice featured two men, so it would be good to offer something different and keep pushing boundaries.

“While Johannes would love to dance with a guy, that would almost be too predictable."

Top of the list is allegedly former X Files star Gillian Anderson and singer Jessie J.

They have both declared previously that they are bisexual, though Gillian currently has a male partner in Peter Morgan and Jessie has an on-off relationship with Magic Mike star Channing Tatum.

Jessie also angered some in the LGBTQ community after she dismissed her bisexuality as a "phase".

Johannes Radebe and Graziano Di Prima make show history with their one-off special dance (BBC/Guy Levy)

Meanwhile, Gillian has said her relationship is "part long-term" with her partner.

Lesbian TV presenter Steph McGovern, former Great British Bake Off host Sandi Toksvig and singer Chelcee Grimes, who had a relationship with Love Island star Megan Barton-Hanson, are all in the frame.

The BBC have said that Strictly was "an inclusive show" and that they were proud of their same-sex dance, despite it receiving 189 complaints from viewers.

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