Strictly Come Dancing: Craig Revel Horwood says same-sex couples should be introduced next year

'The Beeb just have to decide if it’s something they want to do'

Craig Revel Horwood has backed the notion that same-sex couples should be featured on Strictly Come Dancing.

It comes after contestant Susan Calman told the BBC she was offended by criticism aimed at her over her decision to join the dancing competition despite the fact it doesn't allow same-sex dance partners.

"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," she stated, pointing out that many gay men, from Will Young to Judge Rinder, have participated on the show without the same level of criticism.

Fellow contestant Reverend Richard Coles, who is also gay, called on the show to allow LGBTQ couples the option to dance with same-sex couples, adding: "We've had a discussion about it, actually, and I don't know. It makes absolutely no sense that anybody resists the idea, in principle. It's just a question of doing it."

On launch night, Calman was paired with Kevin Clifton, while Coles was paired with newcomer Dianna Buswell. The BBC released a statement that read: "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."

Craig Revel Horwood and Lorraine Kelly discussed the topic on Monday as the Strictly judge commented, "‘I think a same sex couple can exist. You only have to decide who’s going to go backwards. In the world of competitions, there are same sex couples that do it as well so there is no reason that can’t happen. The Beeb just have to decide if it’s something they want to do."

"The tango was originally danced between two men anyway. The Argentine Tango between two men is powerful and explosive. And the same can happen between two women," he further pointed out.

He added that he personally believes, "it'll probably happen next year."

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