Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood predicts the show will feature same sex couples dancing together next year
STRICTLY Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood has predicted that the BBC will feature same sex couples dancing together next year.
The star made his comment about the matter during his appearance on Lorraine today after contestant Rev Richard Coles said it makes ‘no sense’ that contestants can’t dance with someone of the same sex.
When asked about the issue by host Lorraine Kelly, Craig answered: "I think same-sex couples can exist, yes. You only have to decide who is going backwards really.
"I hope it does happen. In the world of competition, there are same sex couples who do it so it is possible."
He continued: "The Beeb [BBC] have to decide when they want to do that. I think it’ll happen next year…"
Craig then informed Lorraine: "The tango was originally a dance between two men… seeing the Argentine tango between two men is really powerful."
The BBC has said there are ‘no plans’ to introduce same-sex pairings on the Saturday night show but Richard believes they are missing out.
Richard, who was one half of the 1980s band the Communards, is in a same-sex marriage and is among the 15 contestants taking part in this year's edition of Strictly Come Dancing.
He has been paired up with Dianne Buswell on the contest, but revealed he had "a discussion" with bosses on the show about having same-sex couples taking part.
His comments came after fellow contestant Susan Calman, who is a lesbian, had been criticised on social media for not having a female professional partner.
MOST READ IN TV & SHOWBIZ
Richard told : "We've had a discussion about it, actually, and I don't know. It makes absolutely no sense that anybody resists the idea, in principle.
"It's just a question of doing it. I think this year would be a good year to do it actually, with the 50th anniversary of sexual offences act (which decriminalised sex between two men aged more than 21)."
The BBC has however made it clear they had no plans to introduce same-sex couples into the competition at the moment.
A BBC spokesperson said: “Strictly has chosen the traditional format of mixed-sex couples and at the moment we have no plans to introduce same-sex couples in the competition.”
Got a story? email [email protected] or call us direct on 02077824220.
We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.