Graham Norton has shared his thoughts on the decision to include same-sex pairings on Strictly Come Dancing.
The 57-year-old BBC star admitted that he’s not convinced that the dancing show switch-up will work.
It comes after it was announced former olympic boxer Nicola Adams will be paired with a woman for the first time in the show’s history.
Speaking to Best magazine, the talk show host opened up about how he feels about the Strictly switch up.
He said: “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.
Graham Norton has shared his thoughts on the decision to include same-sex pairings on Strictly Come Dancing (Image: Patrick McMullan via Getty Image)
“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?”
Graham previously told the publication: “I don’t think it’s a homophobic thing.
“You want to be able to compare like with like.”
Boxer Nicola Adams will be paired with a woman for the first time in the show’s history (Image: 2019 Getty Images)
Strictly bosses decided to take the leap after ITV show Dancing On Ice paired Olympic skater Matt Evers with pop star Ian ‘H’ Watkins earlier this year.
It was confirmed recently that sports star Nicola will be part of the show’s first-ever same-sex couple.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast at the beginning of the month, she said: “I think it’s really important – it’s a big step for the show. It’s nice to see that we’re able to move on.”
“I asked the show about it. They wanted to know if I wanted to be on the show and I said, ‘Yeah, I’ll do it, but I want to dance with another female dance partner.”
Strictly has previously featured two male professionals dancing together but only in a one-off routine (Image: BBC/Guy Levy)
Nicola, 37, was the first openly LGBT person to win a boxing Gold at the 2012 Games.
Strictly has previously featured two male professionals dancing together – Johannes Radebe and Graziano di Prima – but only in a one-off routine.
Speaking to Hello after the performance, Johannes said: “I’ve never felt so liberated. For the first time in my life, I feel accepted for who I am. That says so much about the people of this country.
“To be able to dance with a friend I respect and adore is joyous. There’s bromance galore between us, but there were no male and female roles, just free movement. It was beautiful, classy and elegant.”
Strictly’s epic comeback to our screens next month will not be short of changes due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The studio will look very different this year as the judges will be sat at least two metres apart and Bruno Tonioli will only appear via video link from LA for the results shows.
The dancing duos will also have to sit on tables in their couples in the audience area opposite the judges, rather than gather together backstage.
Host Claudia Winkleman will interview one couple at a time instead of the usual group chat at the end of each performance.
Strictly Come Dancing is expecting to return to BBC One in October
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
