Craig Revel Horwood wants to see trans contestants strut their stuff on Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood (Getty/Dave J Hogan)
Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood says it is time for the show to become more inclusive by featuring trans contestants.
The judge, 56, made the call after the BBC series finally featured same-sex competitors during the past two seasons of the show.
Speaking to Bobby Norris on Fubar Radio’sAccess All Areas about the future of Strictly, the judge stated: “We could go down the transgender route. I think dance is a platform for anybody no matter who you are or where you’re from.
“Humans have been dancing since the cavemen were dancing around fires for fertility and rain. We’re social, we like dancing, we like celebrating and I think it’s time to do that.”
Johannes Radebe and John Whaite danced a fiery Argentine tango. (BBC)
Indeed, viewers have been enjoying Strictly’s most inclusive series yet as the show’s first male same-sex couple John Whaite and Johannes Radebe continue to dazzle on the dance floor with their inventive choreography.
The duo, who followed in the footsteps of last year’s trailblazing contestants Nicola Adams and pro Katya Jones, are frontrunners for this year’s glitterball trophy after topping the leaderboard with their Argentine Tango.
Strictly Come Dancing had been slow to embrace diversity and was nudged into action after its ITV rival, Dancing on Ice, proudly announced its first same-sex ice skating pair in the form of Ian ‘H’ Watkins and Matt Evers.
Strictly then followed suit last season by pairing Olympic boxer Nicola Adams with pro-dancer Kayta Jones.
Bravo Strictly! Same sex duets are now a regular prime-time feature of the show. Not only from John and Johannes but in the pro dances too! Wish I’d seen that on TV when I was a kid #Inspiring @bbcstrictly #Stictly https://t.co/4Ifz6zKX2n
— Matthew Bourne (@SirMattBourne) November 28, 2021
Radebe admitted to Hello! magazine that he had been nervous before the show began of the public’s reaction to the first male pairing.
He said: “There was no doubt in my mind that the dance side of it would work, but I was scared of the reaction it could bring.
“I thought criticism would come from all sides. After speaking to my therapist I realised what was holding me back was still feeling ashamed. Despite my fear, I couldn’t let this opportunity go to anyone else.”
Meanwhile, Whaite previously revealed he was “anxious” about his same-sex pairing, initially asking producers to match him with a straight professional instead of gay dancer Radebe.
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 6.35pm on BBC One.
