Strictly’s John Whaite shares the male dancer he’d like to be paired with on show
The new series of the dancing reality show starts on Saturday 18 September.
Words: Alastair James; pictures: BBC
Strictly Come Dancing’s John Whaite has revealed who he wants to be paired with on the new series of the BBC reality show, just before we all find out who he’s actually paired with.
John, who won the third series of The Great British Bake Off in 2012, was announced to be a part of the show’s first male same-sex dance couple in August.
Last year, Olympic boxer Nicola Adams competed in the show’s first-ever same-sex pairing, but unfortunately had to withdraw after her partner, Katya Jones, tested positive for Coronavirus.
“I really want Johannes”
Previously John, who cheekily showed off his Strictly mandated spray tan, has publicly speculated about who he would be paired with, guessing that given his height it would have to be one of the taller dancers.
Speaking to Steph McGovern on her show, Steph’s Packed Lunch (on which he has a regular segment) John said: “There are four lads who I think are tall enough for me to dance with. There’s Graziano [Di Prima], Kai [Widdrington], Johannes [Radebe] and Aljaz [Škorjanec].
“So, they’re the four I think who are tall enough for me. But, they might give me a shorter dancer and put him in heels!”
But speaking to The Mirror ahead of the show’s premiere on Saturday (18 September) John has gone further and homed in on exactly who he wants to work with. “I really want Johannes,” he said when asked if there was anyone in particular in mind.
He added that being paired with an openly gay dancer, like Johannes, would send a “powerful message,” and was “really important to him”. However, he said he would also be happy to dance with any of the male professionals.
John also revealed that he has some experience when it comes to tap and ballet, which might make people think he could stand a good chance had he not followed that up by saying he didn’t always dance well when sober…
He’s hoping to make it to Halloween week, a mainstay of the competition, along with Movie and also the Musicals weeks. Here’s hoping he can go the whole way!
All the couples for the new series will be revealed on Saturday 18 September on BBC One.
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