LGBT+ fans blown away by Strictly Come Dancing’s history-making same-sex dance
Johannes Radebe and John Whaite dancing on Strictly Come Dancing. (BBC)
John Whaite and Johannes Radebe wowed the judges during their history-making Strictly Come Dancing debut – and LGBT+ fans were truly blown away by the incredible moment.
Whaite and Radebe became the first ever male same-sex pairing to compete on Saturday night’s episode of the hugely popular dance contest. They danced to New Order’s “Blue Monday” – and it’s fair to say the judges were impressed.
Judges Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas gave the couple a standing ovation, and Whaite and Radebe were awarded 30 points for their perfectly choreographed routine. They were the second highest scoring couple on the night after AJ Odudu and Kai Widdrington.
“I don’t think you need to be nervous after a dance like that,” Mabuse told a visibly emotional Whaite and Radebe.
“Such a superb start to this show – you guys keep going like that.”
Ballas added: “I feel this is a testimony to the same sex couple. Absolutely brilliant. To go from leader to being led is so hard. Beautiful choreography.”
Anton Du Beke also heaped praise on the couple, telling them: “Last week you said you wanted to make it about dancing and you absolutely made it about the dancing. Stylish, clean, powerful, strong. Just carry on like that and I’ll be delighted.”
Craig Revel Horwood gave the couple a scare when he frowned at them before saying: “John, your thumb was sticking up.”
However, he added: “I loved it. I thought it was absolutely incredible.”
LGBT+ fans were blown away by Strictly Come Dancing same-sex dance
LGBT+ fans watching at home were overjoyed to see a male same-sex couple dancing on the BBC One series, with many rushing to social media to heap praise on the pair for bringing queer representation to the masses.
Lads lads lads.
We've just our first gay pairing in Strictly Come Dancing. And it's beautiful.
(I swear I am gayest when watching this, it's almost sad if I wasn't having so much fun) https://t.co/46P1RPqtnO
— Akira K 💛🤍💜🖤 (@lionescence) September 25, 2021
Shame lives so deeply within me and other gay men that it occasionally rises to the surface so fast it results in a few tears. To see two gay men partnered together on Strictly Come Dancing really attacks the difficulties LGBTQ+ people face, both personally & visibly for society. pic.twitter.com/PrNccQ471K— Andrew Keates (@andrewkeates) September 18, 2021
https://twitter.com/michellevisage/status/1441853140458954755
This was FUCKING AMAZING.
If I’d seen something like this when I was younger, I’d have known being gay was ok.
I’d have known being gay wasn’t something to be ashamed of.
Well done #Strictly @jojo_radebe & John Waite 😘😘 https://t.co/uaT8vug9L2— FG (@beardedguy50) September 25, 2021
Speaking on his Instagram Stories on Sunday, Whaite said he was in tears reading all the “lovely messages” he had received from fans.
“I don’t know if it’s the slight hangover, but I’m crying reading all your lovely messages,” he said.
“But mostly I’m so proud of Johannes Radebe. His courage to be unapologetically himself will inspire so many – he has certainly already inspired me.”
There was much excitement among Strictly Come Dancing fans when it was announced that John Whaite, a former Great British Bake Off winner, would be partnered with Johannes Radebe on the BBC’s dance contest.
The pairing marks the first time two men have competed together on the show. In 2020, Strictly Come Dancing broke new ground when Nicola Adams was partnered with Katya Jones – but their time on the show quickly came to an end when Jones tested positive for COVID-19.
