Strictly judge: It takes two to tango and both can be men

STRICTLY COME DANCING could feature a same-sex couple next year, Craig Revel Horwood has said, claiming that it is traditional for two men to do the tango.

The BBC has said it has no plans to change the rules, despite criticism from some LGBT campaigners. However, Revel Horwood, one of the Strictly judges, said “same-sex couples can exist” on the Saturday night show.

“You only have to decide who’s going to go backwards, really, that’s the only difference,” he said during an appearance on ITV’S Lorraine programme.

Asked whether viewers could see same-sex couples dancing in future, he said: “I hope so, I really hope so. In the world of competition there are samesex couples, so there’s no reason why that can’t happen.

“The Beeb have to decide whether they want to do that one year. I think it will probably happen next year.”

He added: “If you consider the tango was originally danced between two men anyway… It’s powerful, explosive, and the same can happen between two women. There’s nothing wrong – I mean, you can get married now, can’t you? It’s great to celebrate anyone’s sexuality. It’s not just about sex, it’s about dancing.”

Tango developed in Argentina in the 19th century as a street dance in parts of Buenos Aires populated by pimps and prostitutes. It is said to have been danced between men, with the moves symbolising a kind of duel, before being adopted by mixed-sex couples in Paris in the early 20th century.