Strictly Come Dancing Features Two Same Sex Pairs

The popular UK dance competition continues to break boundaries, offering two same sex couples in this season’s lineup. Following on from 2021, which saw the popularly-received first same sex pairing of the show – John Whaite and Johannes Radebe, Strictly Come Dancing has doubled the representation this year. Comedian and actress Jayde Adams has been partnered with professional dancer Karen Hauer, and radio presenter Richie Anderson has been paired with mainstay professional Giovanni Pernice. Both celebrities exclaimed their delight at participating in a same-sex team during the launch show last Friday (September 23).

Longtime supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, Jayde Adams spoke to Radio Times explaining why she wanted to be partnered with a woman, despite identifying as heterosexual. As a plus-size woman, she felt more comfortable joining the competition and performing the typical demands required if it took place with a woman, elaborating in the interview:

"I said it on Twitter four years ago. I was watching the show and then I was like, 'If I was on Strictly, I'd like to be with a woman because then I could lift her’. "Because whenever you have partnerships where you have a plus size guy, it's easy for him because he can always lift the girl. But when you have it the other way round, and you have that imbalance, it's like, you know, the guys are great but they're not rugby players."

Upon joining the BBC One hit show, Richie Anderson revealed to Metro that he was offered a choice between a male and female dance partner. As an openly gay man, he felt the importance of visually representing his identity on national television, especially given that 2022 marked the 50th anniversary of Pride in the UK.

The 2021 runner-up John Whaite expressed his happiness that the same-sex pairings are continuing beyond his series. “Because queer-inclusion isn’t a box-ticking exercise for one series, it’s a fundamental shift in the narrative for life.” he posted on his Instagram story, “And all the love and luck [to Richie] who is going to love every second.”

Strictly Come Dancing continues this Saturday on BBC One, airing every weekend throughout fall.