After nearly 240 mixed-sex couples, Strictly Come Dancing is considering not one, but two same-sex couples for new season
Graziano Di Prima and Johannes Radebe performed Strictly’s first ever same-sex dance routine (BBC)
It only took around 240 mixed-sex couples across more than 16 years, but Strictly Come Dancing executives are now allegedly considering not one, but two same-sex couples for the show’s upcoming season.
BBC bosses, a source told The Sun, are scouting for both a male and female same-sex pairing with rumours swirling as to who they will be.
While ITV’s Dancing on Ice stormed ahead with Ian ‘H’ Watkins and Matt Evers’ incredible same-sex skating duo, Strictly continued to drag its feet, with Waktins reportedly being told: “The BBC doesn’t do that, it’s not us.”
Although, the contest saw professional dancers Johannes Radebe and Graziano Di Prime deliver a stunning routine last year. As much as their performance drew around 300 complaints from stunned homophobes, the BBC said it will not uphold any of them.
‘Nobody expected having pairings of both genders,’ claims Strictly Come Dancing source.
The insider told the outlet: “This is another intriguing twist in the journey.
“Everyone assumed producers would simply pair gay pro, Johannes Radebe, with a male celebrity but they felt that was too obvious. Then there was a suggestion they would opt to put two women together.
“But nobody expected having pairings of both genders.”
Among female stars mooted include Gillian Anderson, Jessie J and Sandi Toksvig as the programmer considers high-profile queer women to make the show’s first all-female pairing.
Actor Anderson is bisexual, whereas Jessie J came out as bisexual during an interview in 2011, then backtracked years later labelling her bisexuality “a phase”.
Lesbian TV presenter Steph McGovern, former Great British Bake Off host Toksvig and singer Chelcee Grimes are also being considered for the top ballroom show, with professional dancer Katya Jones tipped to be paired with them, sources say.
It all comes as the show’s scheduled running time is trimmed due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis, with the start date pushed back to October 24.
