Fans are overwhelmed with emotion after Ian ‘H’ Watkins’ history making same-sex routine on Dancing on Ice
The highly-anticipated routine wowed viewers (ITV)
On Sunday, Ian ‘H’ Watkins and Matt Evers became the first-ever same-sex couple to compete on Dancing on Ice, and it’s fair to say there was a lot riding on their performance.
The moment had been highly anticipated since the show announced the pairing back in October. Matt and H would be icebreakers – figuratively, not literally – in a show that had remained largely unchanged throughout its 11-season run.
They would also be blazing a trail for other prime-time dance shows like Strictly Come Dancing, which had long toyed with the idea of a same-sex couple but for some strange reason couldn’t quite bring themselves to make the jump.
So TV viewers breathed a collective sigh of relief, followed by tears of joy, when Dancing on Ice gave them exactly what they had hoped for.
What an extraordinary routine from @TheMattEvers and @Ianhwatkins in making history, which is so wonderful to see to males dancing together. #DancingOnIce ?️?❤️? pic.twitter.com/k3BZHMltIV
— Dancing On Ice (@DOI_UK_) January 5, 2020
Although Matt and H’s debut performance didn’t exactly wow the judges, who gave them 25 points out of a possible 40, viewers were overjoyed and took to Twitter to share their happiness.
This. This moment is everything. Well done to H and Matt. Well done to #DancingOnIce pic.twitter.com/wN1F8uQzec
— Fearn Johnston (@engj030506) January 5, 2020
I can’t actually express how much joy I felt watching H and Matt dance on the ice. This is groundbreaking, and it was absolutely beautiful ❤️
— Ben Armstrong (@Ben_Armstrong_4) January 5, 2020
don’t mind me just crying in the corner of my room after watching H and Matt dancing to Panic! i’m an actual sobbing mess rn
— lauraisasloth☔️ (@laurhateslife) January 5, 2020
Watching a same sex partnership dance together on Prime Time British TV has me so emotional, amazing that this is finally happening #Dancingonice
— Rob Gartland (@robgartland) January 5, 2020
I’m running behind on #DancingOnIce but YES H AND MATT!!! pic.twitter.com/KVGvmWEuGI
— Francesca Wellman – Gluten Free Horizons (@GFreeHorizons) January 5, 2020
My heart is actually bursting that there’s a same sex couple on dancing on ice this is exactly the kind of representation that is needed and is a huge step in the right direction I’m literally !! So !! ⭐️??????
— Briony (@litxrallybri) January 5, 2020
H and Matt on @dancingonice was the most beautiful sight i’ve seen on t.v for a very long time, i shared your tears. May this be the 1st of many same sex couples xxx
— Jo Jo (@jomrsh) January 5, 2020
Outstanding H and Matt, The two of you dancing together was so beautiful and moved me to tears. A massive congratulations to you both, you’ve made history. Excited about seeing more from you both.
— Elaine Thompson (@elainet69) January 5, 2020
Found this very emotional – amazing seamless performance !! Haters guna hate unfortunately but from my point of view it was truly amazing & excited to see what comes next from them
— Vanessa Sexton (@Vanessa17041349) January 5, 2020
is it just me that’s sitting here beaming at Matt and H’s routine ?? #dancingonice
— kirstyrachel? (@kirstyrachelabs) January 5, 2020
H and Matt are just the cutest #DancingOnIce pic.twitter.com/cLxIe2khM5
— Leah Pidgeon (@LeahDoraPidge) January 5, 2020
There were the predictable nay-sayers who questioned why a same-sex dance pairing even mattered – but they were quickly shut down by plenty of LGBT+ people who were happy to explain why it really, really does matter.
This is why milestones like Dancing On Ice’s first same-sex couple matters. https://t.co/VpxruAWePN pic.twitter.com/6a0b28jVl9
— Owen Jones? (@OwenJones84) January 6, 2020
For those mocking John for crying, you forget that John, Matt and H grew up in a generation much less tolerant than the one now. They probably never imagined that this would happen on live TV so just keep your opinions to yourself and let him have that moment. #DancingOnIce
— Sophie ?? (@sophxsteele) January 5, 2020
I cried when the H & Matt danced. The first same-sex couple matters. It mattered to the skating couple. It mattered to John. It mattered to me and every other LGBT+ viewer out there tonight. Representation matters. #dancingonice
— Malaika Goldsmith (@mal_goldsmith) January 5, 2020
“Don’t they know there’s kids watching this”… that can now grow up knowing it’s okay to be who they are? crying at #DancingOnIce pic.twitter.com/bM6hUPIDKS
— James Barr (@imjamesbarr) January 5, 2020
Bravo Matt and H – you’ve got our votes!
