Bruno Tonioli doesn’t want same-sex couples on Strictly just to ‘get headlines’
The BBC dance show has yet to introduce same-sex dance partners
By Steve Brown
Words: Steve Brown
Bruno Tonioli doesn’t want to introduce same-sex couples on Strictly Come Dancing just for the headlines.
For years, fans of the BBC dancing competition have been calling for same-sex dance couples to be introduced but the Beeb have yet to follow through.
Despite not having same-sex couples dancing, the ballroom and latin dance competition has featured dance routines with two male professional dancers – Graziano Di Prima and Johannes Radebe.
This year, ITV made history by including the first ever same-sex dance pair on Dancing on Ice and it appears the BBC is facing more pressure to introduce same-sex couples in the next season.
But now, long-running judge Bruno Tonioli has waded into the argument and said, although he is on board for greater representation, he doesn’t want to do it just for the headlines.
He told The Sun: “We would have to be very careful because we wouldn’t want to do it just to get headlines.
“It has to be the right person and couple for it to work.
“The search needs to start and it’s something that is possible. But it shouldn’t be headline chasing.”