Strictly champ Louis Smith backs same-sex dance couples on show
A former winner of Strictly Come Dancing has voiced his support for same-sex dance couples on the show.
The popular BBC dance show pairs celebrities up with professional dancers – but to date, only opposite-sex couples have competed, despite the growing popularity of same-sex dance couples on the competitive scene.
Judge Craig Revel Horwood previously confirmed changes will take place in the next two seasons to remove the gender rules – but now doubts that will happen until at least 2016.
Amid controversy over the issue, Olympic gymnast Louis Smith – who took the crown on the series back in 2012 – spoke out in favour.
He told the Mirror: “I don’t see nothing wrong with that. Ballroom dancing has rules – like you can’t do lifts in the waltz unless its an American Smooth, and things like that, and you get penalised.
“And I don’t know what the rules are in the ballroom world about that sort of thing.
“But if it’s allowed, why not? Mix it up a little bit!”
However, not everybody agrees.
Former Strictly dancer James Jordan caused controversy by saying that having a same sex couple dancing on the show would be “wrong” because “they would lose so many viewers.”
He went on: “I have nothing against same-sex couples, if they want to go and do their own competitions.
“But ballroom and Latin dancing is about a man dancing with a woman – that’s fact.”
Although when his wife, current Strictly dancer Ola Jordan was asked if she agreed with him, she said flatly “no”.
