BBC forced to defend introduction of same-sex couple of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’
The TV institution hit back after receiving complaints about its decision to cast boxer Nicola Adams in its first-ever all-female pairing.
The BBC rolled with the punches when it was forced to defend its decision to have a same-sex couple on this year’s series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Earlier this month, it was announced that boxer Nicola Adams would be forming one half of the show’s first-ever all-female pairing.
However, the casting has prompted over a hundred complaints from the public – and the Beeb hit back with a truly knockout response.
“Strictly Come Dancing is an inclusive show and is proud to have featured same sex dancing amongst the professional dancers in group numbers in previous series,” the BBC said in a statement.
Swapping Olympic gold for Saturday night glitter. Boxer Nicola Adams OBE is stepping into the #Strictly ring! 🥇
👉 https://t.co/cYNbp8FkrM @nicolaadamsobe pic.twitter.com/4BsosK7mzk
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) September 2, 2020
“We have stated, in the past, that we are open to the prospect of including same sex pairings between our celebrities and professional dancers, should the opportunity arise. Nicola Adams requested an all-female pairing, which we are happy to facilitate.”
The statement continued: “The show is first and foremost about dance, the sex of each partner within a coupling should have no bearing on their routine.”
There is no doubt who came out on top in this particular tango with trolls.
Adams, 37, appeared to allude to the snafu on Twitter, writing: “Just when you think 2020 can’t surprise you anymore. Something else happens.”
The sporting champ – who dates beauty blogger Ella Baig – previously spoke about making history and cha-cha-changing things up on ‘Strictly.’
“They wanted to know if I wanted to be on the show but I said, ‘Yeah, I will do it but I want to dance with another female dance partner’,’ she said.
Strictly Come Dancing starts next month (October).