David Walliams wants male dance partner for Strictly Come Dancing
David Walliams appears on The Jonathan Ross Show that he would appear on Strictly Come Dancing
David Walliams has said he would appear on Strictly Come Dancing with a male dance partner.
Speaking on The Jonathan Ross Show, the Britain’s Got Talent judge David Walliams hinted at competing on the BBC reality dance contest in future.
Walliams said: “My mum would like me to do Strictly. I don’t think I ever have been asked to do it. I would like to do it because there are two reasons. One is, you get to lose weight, it’s a brilliant way to lose weight.
“I want Anton Du Beke.”
— David Walliams
“And the second thing is you often get close with the professional dancer, so I want Anton Du Beke.”
The comedian, who split from wife Lara Stone in 2015, added: “That is my dream. It would be fun. I like the dancing.”
He added: “The day will come won’t it, when we will all be on there.”
Strictly Come Dancing has never featured a same-sex dance pairing, although they are increasingly common in professional dance contests.
Strictly Come Dancing sticks to ‘traditional’ opposite-sex format
The BBC reality dance show has come under repeated fire over its reluctance to allow same-sex pairings in the contest, although they are more common in the professional dance world.
Ahead of Strictly Come Dancing 2018, a 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.”
“Strictly has chosen the traditional format of mixed-sex couples and at the moment we have no plans to introduce same-sex couples.”
— BBC spokesperson
The confirmation comes despite vocal support from several of the show’s judges.
Head judge Shirley Ballas said earlier this year: “They’re just about to have the final of the Italian version of Strictly, and I was just informed that a same-sex couple, two men, made the final, so I will be following that.
“I think things are changing, and I couldn’t think of anything more exciting. I’m for it!”
Judge Craig Revel Horwood has long been a supporter of permitting same-sex dance couples on the show.
David Walliams is not the first celebrity to ask for a same-sex dance partner on Strictly Come Dancing
Years & Years singer Olly Alexander previously said he would like to appear on the show with a man.
The queer music star, who frequently dances with men in his music videos, said: “I’d want a guy partner. I need a big man to spin me around.”
David Walliams attends the Britain’s Got Talent Auditions on January 22, 2016 in London, England. (Anthony Harvey/Getty)
Asked if he would consider being a contestant if he could have a male partner, he responded: “Well, why not?”
Drag star Courtney Act also spoke about at being open to dancing with a man.
“I hope the BBC would be open to it. They love a stunt casting,” she told the Daily Star. “Surely it’s time for the BBC to do it.
“I would want to be Courtney and dance with a male partner. And then halfway through the series I’d come out as Shane and there would finally be same-sex dancing on the show.”
