No gay pairs on Strictly

STRICTLY contestant Dr Ranj Singh’s plea to dance with a man on the show has been shot down by the BBC. The gay TV doctor called on BBC bosses to partner him with a male professional dancer, saying it was an ‘incredibly important’ issue.

But a BBC spokesman said yesterday: ‘Strictly has chosen the long-standing ballroom dancing format of mixed-sex couples and at the moment we have no plans to introduce same-sex couples.’

Dr Ranj, 39, resident doctor on ITV’s This Morning, said: ‘I would love to dance with a same-sex partner. I would value a time when same-sex couples could dance on shows like Strictly.’

Pressure is building on the BBC to allow same-sex couples to appear. Head judge Shirley Ballas said earlier this year: ‘I couldn’t think of anything more exciting.’