BBC rules OUT shaking up dance show with all-male and female couples despite row over gay contestants

11/09/2017 sao paulo BBC/TV Licence Blog 0

Strictly Come Dancing

The BBC has ruled out plans to shake up Strictly’s traditional format by introducing same-sex partners.

  • BBC were reportedly in talks to discuss introducing same-sex couples to Strictly
  • Comes as gay contestant Susan Calman came under fire for dancing with a man 
  • Fellow contestant Richard Coles says this year would be perfect time for change 
  • BBC spokeswoman us that it has no plans to introduce new format 

Reports emerged today that it was considering changing the format after an increasing number of LGBT campaigners said the show is not catering to a gay audience.

Richard Coles, who is starring on this year’s series of the show which opened last night, revealed ‘discussions’ were being held with the BBC over the issue.

But a BBC spokeswoman us that it has no plans to introduce same-sex couples in the foreseeable future.

Dancing queen: Susan Calman has admitted that she felt herself lusting after a man for the first time while preparing for her new stint on Strictly Come Dancing

The Church of England vicar told the Sunday Telegraph: ‘We’ve had a discussion about it actually, and I don’t know. I mean, it’s in no sense that anyone resists the idea in principle, it’s just a question of doing it.’

He suggested this year – which marks the 50th anniversary of the Sexual Offences Decriminalisation Act – would be a fitting time to embark on the changes.

This year’s contestant Susan Calman was targeted by online for agreeing to take part in the show and dance with a male partner.

TBC: It is not yet publicly known who Susan will be teamed up with for her ballroom experience

But the regular Radio 4 panellist said: ‘No one can say I haven’t stood up for my community.

‘I think politically there’s nothing more powerful than having an openly gay woman on the biggest show on television whose wife’s on the front row doing what she wants to do.

‘No one is holding me hostage in this room, making me wear a dress and dance with a man. I want to learn how to dance,’ she told The Sunday Telegraph.

A spokeswoman for the BBC us: ‘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.’

Matthew Hulbert, serving police officer and chair of Leicester Police’s LGBT group tweeted: ‘When will there be a same-sex couple on #Strictly? Come on, producers, it’s 2017.’