BBC says Will Young must dance with a woman on Strictly due to ‘traditional’ format
(Photo by willyoungofficial/Instagram)
The BBC says Will Young will be paired with a female dancer on Strictly Come Dancing due to the show’s “traditional” mixed-sex format.
The broadcaster is in the process of announcing the line-up for the upcoming season of the popular celebrity dancing show, with former Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls signing up to appear.
Gay singer and rights advocate Will Young was also confirmed to be taking part this week.
Fans had speculated whether the singer could be paired with a same-sex dancing partner, after Judge Craig Revel Horwood had hinted that changes will take place.
But the BBC confirmed this week that Young would be paired with a female professional dance partner.
A statement said: “The show has chosen the traditional Latin and Ballroom format of mixed-sex couples.”
Judge Craig Revel Horwood last year conceded: “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.”
Former Strictly star James Jordan claimed that it would be “wrong” to feature same-sex dance couples on the show.
He insisted: “It’s wrong. I think they would lose so many viewers.
“I have nothing against same-sex couples, if they want to go and do their own competitions.
“But ballroom and Latin dancing is about a man dancing with a woman – that’s fact.
“It annoys me that people like Craig can say this because he’s gay. That’s the only reason he’s pushing it.”
