Former ‘Strictly’ judge Arlene Phillips says the BBC should ‘make a statement’ and include same-sex couples
Len Goodman said same-sex couples are better suited on a spin-off show
By Steve Brown
Words: Steve Brown
Former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips has said the BBC show should ‘make a statement’ and include same-sex couples.
The former judge – who stepped down in 2008 – told RadioTimes.com that same-sex dance partners are commonplace in the contemporary dance world and Phillips responded to former head judge Len Goodman who said same-sex couples will be better in a spin-off show.
She said: “It’s happening in the dance world. There are many same-sex couples in dance competitions, it just isn’t on television.
“It’s common, it’s not even thought about. It’s part of dance, and it’s part of storytelling.
“With spin-offs, if you start thinking about same-sex couples spin off, you then think about kids spin off, non-celebrity spin off – you can be spinning off for days.
“If you’re going to do it, make a statement – don’t do it as a spin off. I don’t think people would think about [same-sex couples].
“I think it will be something that is just accepted, and the public will accept it.”