Strictly Come Dancing latest series is now approaching its fifth week of the competition, as fans eagerly await its return to screens this evening. However, it seems as fans have another reason to be excited, after it was confirmed that the show would be airing its first same sex individual couple routine later on in the series.
Professional dancers Johannes Radebe and Graziano Di Prima will be dancing the same sex individual couple routine in the coming weeks, making it the first in the show’s 15 year history.
In a since deleted tweet, eliminated contestant Anneka Rice praised the show for the pairing.
She shared: “OMG, just heard the news that @GrazianoDiPrima and @jojo_radebe will be dancing together on Strictly this series, what a stunningly beautiful combination! I feel weak already..”
Johannes replied to the TV star who was the second celebrity to be knocked out of the competition alongside professional dancer Kevin Clifton.
READ MORE: Anneka Rice: Strictly 2019 star in ‘weird’ reunion with Kevin Clifton
Seemingly confirming the news, he told her that: “We miss you darling, thank you.”
The Mail Online have reported that the routine will be performed in the results show on November 3, as the pair will dance to Emeli Sande’s song Shine.
A Strictly source said of the routine: “It’s a brave move for the beeb and will break boundaries but bosses are under a lot of pressure.
“It will hopefully pave the way for a same-sex couple next year, it’s a step in the right direction for making the show more diverse,” they continued.
After the hit BBC show previously stated that it had no desire to change the format, this year saw a change of heart, as the show said they are “completely open” to the idea of a mixed-sex format.
Craig Revel Horwood, who has been a judge on the show since it commenced back in 2004, also said he would be keen for the change in format.
“I have no argument against it. I think it would be rather fun. Maybe the BBC will be brave enough one day to do it,” he said in an previous interview.
The news comes days after rival show Dancing On Ice revealed that it would have a same sex pairing this year.
As the show’s line up was announced, show bosses confirmed that former Steps star Ian ‘H’ Watkins would be paired with a male professional when the show airs in January.
The pop-star reportedly asked ITV if a same-sex pairing would be a possibility, to which the production team was “fully supportive”.
After the news was announced, he posted on his social media that he was “totally blown away” by the support he had received, showing that fans have responded positively.
Could Strictly follow suit next year and introduce same-sex pairings to the competition?
Strictly Come Dancing continues tonight at 6.40pm on BBC One.
