Only 16 homophobes complained about Dancing on Ice’s history making same-sex pairing so we guess that’s progress
Steps singer Ian H Watkins with Dancing on Ice skater Matt Evers. (ITV)
Sixteen people took time out of their sad, empty lives to file complaints about a same-sex dance pairing on Dancing on Ice.
Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom confirmed it had received complaints in response after the reality ice skating show launched on Sunday, making history by pairing Steps singer Ian ‘H’ Watkins with male skater Matt Evers.
An entire 16 people apparently found the sight of two out-and-proud men dancing together offensive enough to file complaints with the TV regulator – after presumably turning a shade of purple that’s usually reserved for Piers Morgan when he’s confronted with a vegan sausage roll or non-binary person.
Ofcom rejects complaints about Dancing on Ice gay pairing.
However, Ofcom made clear in a statement to Metro.co.uk: “The selection and pairing of contestants is an editorial matter for ITV.
“Our rules do not discriminate between opposite-sex and same-sex couples.”
Ian H Watkins and Matt Evers on Dancing on Ice
The couple’s dance to ‘High Hopes’ by Panic! At The Disco received 25 points from judges Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean, Ashely Banjo and John Barrowman – meaning they are safe from elimination after placing third out of six on the leaderboard.
Interestingly, ‘High Hopes’ is also the unofficial campaign theme song of gay US presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg.
Dance pairing ‘means so much to so many people’.
The pair’s powerful first routine on Sunday’s show moved judge John Barrowman to tears.
Speaking after the performance, Watkins told the judges: “[It was] emotional, because I have wanted this for so long and it means so much to so many people and the world is ready for this.”
Matt added: “I just have to say thank you to the network, thank you to ITV and thank you to everybody at home that is accepting of this because this is normal.
“This is absolutely normal.”
John Barrowman said: “I am [emotional], that makes me happy on a complete multitude of levels, just because of seeing two men who represent someone who is like me and to skate as well as you did, you’ve done it now, the nerves are out of the way.
“We’ve shown that two men can perform and skate together so now do the tricks. I’m overwhelmed, I am almost speechless, it was just wonderful.”
