The Strictly Come Dancing 2019 launch show begins at 7:40pm tomorrow night (Saturday, September 6) on BBC One. Originally, 15 Strictly couples were taking part in the series but at the moment it is unknown if anybody will replace Jamie Laing, who quit the show due to a foot injury sustained on the pre-recorded launch show. Since 2004, Strictly has only featured same-sex couples but will this change in the future?
Will Strictly have a same-sex couple in the future?
After 16 years of same-sex couples on Strictly Come Dancing, the show creators have said they are “completely open” to have same-sex couples on the show.
In a statement, the BBC said: “Strictly Come Dancing is an inclusive show and we are proud to have featured same-sex dancing amongst the professional dancers in group numbers in the previous series.
“We are completely open to the prospect of including same-sex pairings between our celebrities and professional dancers in the future, should the opportunity arise.“
The professional same-gender couples on the show have been AJ Pritchard and Gorka Marquez, Neil Jones and Kevin Clifton and Katya Jones and Nadiya Bychkova.
Strictly judges Craig Revel Horwood and Shirley Ballas have been avid supporters for same-sex pairings for years and now the BBC has confirmed that they are accepting of the idea.
Speaking on ITV’s Lorraine in 2017, Horwood said: “I think same-sex couples can exist, you only have to decide who’s going to go backwards really, don’t you. That’s the only difference.
“In the world of competition, there are same-sex couples that do it as well so there is no reason why that can’t happen.”
The idea of a same-sex couple is not completely new, with Australia’s Strictly Come Dancing equivalent Dancing with the Stars, featuring a same sex couple.
Courtney Act – also known as Shane Janek – competed as his drag persona and was paired with Joshua Keefe, making it to the show’s final.
A source also told The Mirror: “Bosses have said while there aren’t any same-sex pairings in this series, they’d definitely be open to it, given the right combination of celebs and dancers.
“The show’s always been inclusive and reflects modern Britain.”
Former Strictly professional, Robin Windsor told The Telegraph: “Strictly has always been pitched as a family show, and in their own words a few years back, they said that’s the reason they wouldn’t be inclusive of same-sex couples.
“It was very disheartening at the time, but of course families now are made up very differently than they were, and I think it’s fantastic that they’re open to having some more inclusivity on the show.
“You don’t need to be gay to dance with somebody of the same sex.
”Ballroom dancing is about two people together moving in perfect unison across the floor, as long as you have a leader and a follower it shouldn’t matter.“
There will be no same-sex Strictly couples on this year’s series of Strictly Come Dancing.
The Strictly pairs will be revealed on tomorrow night’s launch show.
At the moment, England footballer Alex Scott is the favourite to win the 17th series of the show.
She is at odds of 4/1 to win the show at Coral, followed by Karim Zeroual at 5/1 and Catherine Tyldesley at odds of 6/1.
At Coral, Scott is at odds of 2/1 to be paired with Aljaz Skorjanec, with AJ Pritchard at 8/1 and Kevin Clifton at odds of 10/1.
Coral spokesperson Harry Aitkenhead said: “Alex Scott is the hot favourite for Strictly 2019 and all eyes will be on who she is paired up with. We think she could form a dream team with Aljaz and if they do link up they could take some stopping.”
Strictly Come Dancing returns Saturday, September 7 at 7:40pm on BBC One
