Norton: Is same sex dance couple Strictly necessary?
Chat show host doubts move
GRAHAM Norton has questioned Strictly Come Dancing’s decision to bring in same-sex pairings.
The BBC chat show host, 57, said he had been left unconvinced by the move.
Norton explained: “As you have people who can be openly gay on that show, I don’t particularly need to see a man dancing with a man.
“I understand the reason the Strictly bosses might do it is coming from a good place, but it does kind of muddy the waters for the judges. If you’ve got two partners who can do lifts and men’s bodies are different shapes, how would that work?”
Speaking to Best magazine, he added: “I don’t think it’s a homophobic thing.
“You want to be able to compare like with like.”
His comments come after Nicola Adams, 37, was announced as the first same-sex pairing involving a contestant on the BBC show. The Olympic gold medalwinning boxer, who has been with girlfriend Ella Baig for two years, will join up with a female pro dancer for the series which starts next month. Judge Craig Revel Horwood previously called for the change, saying: “Maybe the BBC will be brave enough to do it.” Johannes Radebe and Graziano di Palma last year became the first male pro dancers on the show to dance together. There were 200 complaints. But Graziano said: “Millions send us videos saying thank you.”
Nations to have had same- sex dance partners include Italy, Germany and Ireland.
Nicola, from Leeds, has thanked the BBC for pairing her with a woman, adding: “It’s amazing to be a part of the movement for change.”
The former flyweight champ, who quit boxing last year, said her partner should be “someone a little on the short side because I’m a little small”.