Kevin Clifton has no problem with same-sex partners on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’
The professional dancer has been part of the BBC ballroom and latin competition since 2013
By Steve Brown
Kevin Clifton has no problems being paired in a same-sex couple on Strictly Come Dancing.
The professional dancer has been a long-standing part of the BBC dance competition and despite having a number of LGBT+ contestants, the show has stuck to the male-female dance partners.
However despite judges Shirley Ballas and Craig Revel Horwood both welcoming same-sex partners, BBC bosses revealed just last week that the upcoming season of the show will stick to traditional pairings.
But when asked how he feels about same-sex dance couples on Twitter, Clifton revealed he has no problem with it.
He replied: “Just to be clear im not involved in any of these decisions.
“But if that’s what they wanted then i’d have no problem with it.”
Just to be clear im not involved in any of these decisions. But if that’s what they wanted then i’d have no problem with it. https://t.co/Crgs7FKYmc
— Kevin Clifton (@keviclifton) 13 August 2018
Clifton isn’t the only dancer from the show who would welcome same-sex partners after former dance star Gleb Savchenko called on the BBC ballroom and latin competition to allow same-sex pairings, saying bosses should have taken the step “long ago”.
34-year-old Gleb, who currently serves as a professional on Strictly’s US equivalent, Dancing with the Stars, says that he’d be more than happy to dance with a male partner, and that any concerns about the fairness of two men or women competiting against mixed-sex couples are unfounded.
“[Strictly] should have done it long ago!” he told Attitude’s July issue.
“Look at the history of the Argentine tango: it was only men. They danced together to attract girls on the street.
“I’d be down for [dancing with a man]. I want to be as creative as possible. It’s a challenge and I love challenges.
“I’d be like, ‘OK, what are we going to do?”
“For example, I would totally dance with Jordan Fisher, who won last season’s Dancing with the Stars. He was on tour with us for three months and we became good friends.
“He’s really talented, a good guy and an amazing singer, so we’d be able to do something super cool.”