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Rob Rinder says he's been asked to do the Strictly Christmas special with a same-sex partner

Photo credit: Barcroft Media - Getty Images
Photo credit: Barcroft Media - Getty Images

From Good Housekeeping

For a while now, viewers have been asking for prime time TV contests that involve pairings to champion diversity and inclusivity by featuring same-sex couples.

This year, Dancing On Ice did just that by pairing celebrity contestant Ian 'H' Watkins with pro skater Matt Evers and when the duo left the show, H challenged Strictly Come Dancing to follow suit.

While Strictly has featured a same-sex dance performed by professionals Johannes Radebe and Graziano Di Prima, it has never had a celebrity/professional same-sex pairing. Although, that could well be about to change.

Rob Rinder, also known as Judge Rinder, has said he's been asked to dance the Christmas special with a male pro, revealing the news to OK! magazine.

"I was offered next year’s Christmas special with a same-sex dancer," he said.

While we don't know if he accepted the invitation, it seems he's certainly open to it.

"I’d do anything. I’ve danced on stage with Anton Du Beke for a Grenfell Tower benefit," Rob went on to say.

“Ultimately a same-sex couple is inevitable,” he added.

Rob finished in an impressive fifth place in the 2016 series of Strictly, dancing with Oksana Platero, so if he did come back for a Christmas special we'd surely be in for a treat.

Strictly has reiterated a statement it previously issued about its stance on same-sex couples.

"Strictly Come Dancing is an inclusive show and we are proud to have featured same-sex dancing among the professional dancers in group numbers in the previous series. We are completely open to the prospect of including same-sex pairings between our celebrities and professional dancers in the future, should the opportunity arise."

Strictly Come Dancing will air later this year on BBC One.


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Photo credit: Hearst Owned
Photo credit: Hearst Owned

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