Strictly Come Dancing is reportedly planning to have an all-male couple on the 2021 series, a first for the hit BBC show.
The duo would follow in the footsteps of Nicola Adams, 38, and Katya Jones, 31, who made history during the last season as the first ever same-sex pairing to compete.
A production source has now claimed that ‘all the pros are on board’ with the idea and that TV execs are on the lookout for a gay or bisexual celeb to take part.
Bring it on! Strictly Come Dancing is reportedly planning to feature its first all-male couple on the 2021 series (pros Johannes Radebe and Graziano Di Prima dancing together in 2019)
Speaking with The Sun, the source claimed: ‘Strictly bosses are keen to keep the momentum going after their historical all-female pairing last year.
‘They want to be as progressive and inclusive as possible and think it would be great to include a same-sex male couple.
‘It’s been done before on Dancing on Ice and all the pros are on board with the move.’
The source added that a the professionals would also enjoy having the chance to try out some new choreography ideas in a same-sex pairing.
MailOnline has contacted Strictly’s representatives for a comment.
A first: The duo would follow in the footsteps of Nicola Adams and Katya Jones who made history during the last season as the first ever same-sex pairing to compete (pictured)
ITV’s Dancing On Ice featured its first all-male competing couple in 2020 when Steps singer Ian ‘H’ Watkins, 44, took to the rink with pro Matt Evers, 45.
Potential celeb names said to be in the running to in Strictly’s all-male pairing include Westlife star Mark Feehily, 40, who was also tipped for the 2020 show.
The all-male pairing would follow boxer Nicola and Katya’s history-making stint on Strictly, impressing the judges with their moves during their first three dances
However the pair were forced to pull out when Katya tested positive for Covid, as Strictly bosses introduced new guidelines to keep its stars safe during the pandemic.
As they’d already begun training Nicola and Katya are unable to return for the 2021 series, but did take to the floor during the 2020 for a stellar performance.
Two men have danced together on the show previously, with Johannes Radebe and Graziano Di Prima taking to the floor during Emeli Sande’s performance in 2019.
In the running? TV execs are said to be on the lookout for a gay or bisexual celeb to take part in the 2021 series, with Westlife’s Mark Feehily tipped to be a top contender
‘The pros are all on board’: A source said that the professional dancers are very keen for an all-male pairing in 2021 (pictured left, Luba Mushtuk and Aljaz Skorjanec, and right, Johannes Radebe and Graziano Di Prima, dancing while Emeli Sande sings on Strictly in 2019)
And male dancers Johannes, Gorka Marquez and Giovanni Pernice also performed together during show’s first ever drag performance to a medley of hits from musical Priscilla: Queen of the Desert in 2020.
However Strictly received more than 100 complaints after viewers criticised the routine, which saw the stars don wigs and high heels, back in December.
Some outraged viewers questioned why such a dance should feature on a ‘family show,’ with one claiming the ‘weird’ dance even ‘confused their grandchildren’.
The BBC confirmed they received complaints following the groundbreaking routine, meaning the network will now have to issue a public response.
Ofcom also received a small number of complaints after some viewers shared their outrage on social media.
MailOnline contacted representatives for Strictly Come Dancing and Ofcom for comment at the time.
Despite this backlash, Strictly hasn’t got any shortage of male professional dancers lining up to make history in an all-male partnership in 2021 as at least three have already shared their interest in taking on the pairing.
Speaking on FUBAR radio in February, Graziano put himself forward as the latest male professional wanting to have a male partner in the next series.
Graziano admitted that he’s ‘been ready for four years’ to dance with a man on the BBC show as he said: ‘Dance is for everyone. And I say this in every class, it is for everyone who loves dancing. Dancing was just born to let the people be free and happy.’
Unfortunately for Graziano, he isn’t the first to show interest as fellow pro dancer Giovanni Pernice admitted he’d be up for the ‘challenge’ and Neil Jones told hosts Bobby and Stephen earlier this year that he wouldn’t pass at the opportunity either.
Controversy: Strictly received more than 100 complaints after viewers criticised the show’s first ever drag performance which saw Johannes, Gorka Marquez and Giovanni Pernice dress in wigs and heels while dancing to a medley of hits from musical Pricilla: Queen of the Desert
