Craig Revel Horwood wishes 'Strictly Come Dancing' had been "braver sooner" by including a same-sex pairing on the show earlier.
Craig Revel Horwood wishes Strictly Come Dancing had been 'braver sooner' by including a same-sex pairing on the show earlier
Boxer Nicola Adams and pro dancer Katya Jones made history in 2020 when they became the BBC Latin and ballroom's show's first-ever same-sex pairing, but show judge Craig believes the move should've been made earlier because 'Strictly' viewers are "more open-minded than we give them credit for".
He told Radio Times magazine: "I think we did it one year too late.
"I wish we’d been braver sooner, but we’re there now.
"Viewers are more open-minded than we give them credit for."
But Craig heaped praise on 'Strictly' for the landmark move, which has changed TV forever.
He added: "Some people will kick up a stink initially, then suddenly they’re fine with it and that’s how we change the world - from the persecution of gay men to two men dancing on national television."
After forming Strictly's first-ever same-sex pairing, Katya and Nicola later had to withdraw from the competition early after Katya was struck down with COVID-19.
In 2021, Johannes Radebe and John Whaite teamed up and made the semi-finals, and Jayde Adams and Karen Hauer joined forces in 2022.
Last year, actor Layton Williams and pro dancer Nikita Kuzmin danced together and made the final.
Last month, singer Will Young, who took part in the 2016 'Strictly' series, but pulled out of the series for "personal reasons", admitted he would dance with a male pro dancer if he ever returned to the series.
He said: "If I did it now, I would dance with a male partner.
"I don't think it was an option [back then]. I don't think it was a conversation, no."
Tagged in Craig Revel Horwood Nicola Adams