My love is stronger than a ‘curse’, says same-sex pioneer
STRICTLY contestant John Whaite is sure he won’t be hit by the show’s infamous “love curse” because his real-life relationship is stronger than ever.
The former Bake Off winner, who will be half of the dance show’s first male same-sex partnership, says he loves nothing more than curling up by the fire with his fiancé Paul Atkins.
He says: “Being cosy around my log fire with my partner is all I want to do. That is the most important thing and it is the anchor I have been looking for all my life.
“Paul and I have been together for 13 years and he has witnessed all these transformations. It is wonderful we are still together as I get bored so easily and chop and change who I am.
“I am like Adam Ant or Madonna – I am always changing my image.
“The one thing that has been consistent in my life is Paul. He does the covers for my books and he knows me and he is so calm and patient.”
John, who was last week confirmed as a contestant in the new Strictly season, calls the same-sex factor “a great step forward in representation and inclusion”.
He adds: “Whoever it is I’m paired with, I hope they are up for a challenge as I want our routines to include lots of spectacular lifts!”
The other confirmed contestants are TV star AJ Odudu, Peep Show actor Robert Webb, McFly singer Tom Fletcher, and children’s presenter Rhys Stephenson.
Despite the competition, John says he is not planning to take it too seriously.
Talking on the Life On A Plate podcast, he said: “I am much happier to make a fool of myself on TV.
“I am separating myself from that negative perfectionism.
It can make you competitive as that will always stay with me but this idea of pretence,
I have separated myself from that.”