TV pairings stay Strictly mixed-sex

THERE are ‘no plans’ to introduce same-sex couples to Strictly Come Dancing, the BBC has said after gay contestant the Rev Richard Coles argued it would be a good idea.

The corporation said the show — which trounced The X Factor on Saturday with average viewing figures of 8.8million — would keep the ‘traditional format’.

Coles, who was in 1980s band The Communards before becoming a vicar, said he had ‘a discussion’ with show bosses about same-sex couples. The 55-year-old, paired with Dianne Buswell, told Digital Spy: ‘It makes no sense that anybody resists the idea, in principle.’

Lesbian contestant Susan Calman, a comedian and LGBT campaigner, faced claims on social media that she should have insisted on dancing with a woman. But the 42-year-old, partnered with Kevin Clifton, said: ‘Dancing’s not necessarily about sex — it’s acting.’

Author: Andrei Harmsworth