Strictly’s Calman tells trolls: I’m not ugly
STRICTLY Come Dancing contestant Susan Calman last night hit back at trolls who criticised her appearance, saying she is not “fat and ugly”.
The gay Scottish comedian, 42, sparked an online reaction after she was paired up with a male pro dance partner.
One Twitter user said “they let pigs dance?” in response to a newly-released official picture of Ms Calman in a glamorous ballroom outfit. She replied: “No, but they do let ***** ,” adding: “I don’t often interact with trolls but occasionally I do. For years I thought I was fat and ugly. I’m not. And I won’t let anyone say I am.”
The picture of Ms Calman with her dance partner Kevin Clifton was released by the BBC ahead of Saturday night’s first live episode.
The gay rights campaigner came in for a volley of criticism for not lobbying the BBC to pair up with a woman. She said: “I wanted to dance with a man. I am not being held hostage by the BBC. I’m still well gay and proud of it.”
The row has split the gay community but the BBC said it has no plans to change its format, a move supported by the openly gay former Strictly contestant Robert Rinder, better known as TV’s Judge Rinder.
He said: “My sexuality ought to be irrelevant. Some things ain’t politics – Strictly is one of them.
“The joy of the show is the escapism. I don’t walk around daily wearing glitter, with my chest out, doing jazz hands. For a couple of hours every Saturday the real world fades and we disappear into sequins, glitter balls and pure unadulterated joy.
“Would it be a big step forward for the LGBTQ community if there were same-sex couples on Strictly? Do me a favour.”
The controversy has dominated the lead up to this year’s series and overshadowed dancer Brendan Cole’s announcement he is expecting a second child with wife Zoe.
Strictly Come Dancing, BBC One, 6.25pm, Saturday.