Strictly judge: I doubt same-sex dance couples will happen this year
Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood has said a same-sex dance pairing probably won’t happen this year, after saying it was “on the cards”.
The popular BBC dance show pairs celebrities up with professional dancers – but to date, only opposite-sex couples have competed.
However, due to the growing popularity of same-sex dance competitions, judge Craig Revel Horwood recently confirmed changes will take place in the next two seasons to remove the gender rules.
While appearing on This Morning, however, he said the idea was now unlikely to happen until 2016.
He said: : “I was rather hoping for a same sex couple – I doubt that it’ll happen this year.
“But I’d love it to happen because that might put a spanner in the works. It’d be wonderful to have Dermot O’Leary as part of one of those teams!”
It is an about turn from last month, when he said the idea was definitely happening soon.
He said last month: “A same sex couple on Strictly – that is on the cards.
“It will be either this year or next year, but most certainly, it will happen.
“There are competitions throughout the world that have same sex couple… you just have to decide who goes backwards darling!”
The stars of the show have previously called for same-sex couples to be represented – with same-sex professionals dancing together on the show last year for the first time, in a routine that was not part of the main competition.
Professional dancer Ola Jordan said previously: “I don’t know if the audience is ready. But unless you try you won’t know.
“I think there will be pressure from fans for Strictly to do it. I’ve never danced with a woman so I don’t know how that would be.
“But I’d give it a go. Women move in a different way to men, so it would be a new challenge to think about.”
