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Tag: Strictly Come Dancing

All the latest breaking news Strictly Come Dancing. Browse The THEGAYUK’s complete collection of features and commentary on Strictly Come Dancing.

  • Has one anyone gay, lesbian, bi or transgender ever won Strictly Come Dancing?

    Has one anyone gay, lesbian, bi or transgender ever won Strictly Come Dancing?

    Let’s start with the number of LGBT+ contestants that have appeared on the show. Out of the 222 contestants of the show, there has never been an out or openly LGBT+ winner of the show.

    What’s even more concerning there has never been an openly transgender contestant on the show that has been running since 2004. There have also been very few openly lesbian or bisexual stars on the show.

    The closest any LGBT+ contender has come to winning was Julian Clary in series three who placed third. Colin Jackson was a runner-up in his series, but he was not out at the time of his appearance in the show.

    Of 222 contestants since the show’s premiere in 2004, these are the openly LGB stars of the show.

    Series 1

    Jason Wood was the first openly gay person to take part in the show in 2004. He was paired with Kylie Jones and was voted out in week 2. The winners of the series were Natascha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole.

    Series 2

    Julian Clary performed alongside Erin Boag and came third. The winners of the series were Jill Halfpenny and Darren Bennett Cole.

    Series 3

    Colin Jackson appeared in the third season, however, he was not openly gay at that time. He came second in the competition. The winners of the series were Darren Gough and Lilia Kopylova.

    Series 9

    Russell Grant danced with Flavia Cacace and was booted in week 8. The winners of the series were Harry Judd and Aliona Vilani.

    Series 12

    Scott Mills was paired with Joanne Clifton and was voted out in week 6. The winners of the series were Caroline Flack and Pasha Kovalev.

    Series 14

    Will Young appeared in the show and danced with Karen Clifton until he with withdrew in week 3.

    Judge Rinder danced alongside Oksana Platero and was voted out in week 11. The winners of the series were Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton.

    Series 15

    Rev Richard Coles danced with Dianne Buswell and was voted out in week 3.

    Susan Calman danced with Kevin Clifton and was voted out in week 10. The winners of the series were Joe McFadden and Katya Jones.

    Series 16

    Dr Ranj Singh danced opposite Janette Manrara

    Series 17

    There were no openly LGBT+ participants in Series 17.

    Series 18

  • Strictly Come Dancing announces its first same-sex dancing couple

    Strictly Come Dancing announces its first same-sex dancing couple

    Despite calls for years, it’s taken the BBC until 2020 to introduce its first-ever same-sex couple to the very popular reality show, Strictly Come Dancing. The contestant who gets to be in the very first same-sex coupling is Boxing champ, Nicola Adams, who is openly bisexual.

    However Strictly isn’t the first prime-time entertainment show to introduce a same-sex coupling, last year that honour fell to Dancing On Ice when Steps’ singer “H” was paired with Matt Evers.

    It’s not yet known who Nicola will be paired up with on the show which starts in mid-October.

    “I’m a huge fan of the show”

    Speaking about her history-making appearance on the show, Nicola said,

    I’m really excited to be joining this year’s incredible line-up for Strictly Come Dancing. I’m a huge fan of the show and am thrilled to be part of something that holds such a special place in so many people’s hearts.

    “People might know me from work in the ring, but I’ll be every bit as passionate and dedicated on the dance-floor too. I also wanted to thank the BBC for supporting me and making me the first ever all female-pairing; and it’s amazing to be a part of the movement for change, diversity and breaking boundaries in the entertainment industry.”

    Ticking boxes

    Of course, when the announcement was made, some people couldn’t hold back their fury over the involvement over the same-sex coupling, with many claiming that the casting of Nicola was down to “ticking their diversity boxes”.

    One person slammed the casting saying, “I won’t be watching! Normally do but won’t this year.”

    https://twitter.com/JoKirkbright/status/1301125817699913730

    Another said that the BBC was “pandering to the woke generation”,

    However the were many positive comments as well, with the BBC being praised for upping LGBT+ representation.

  • Strictly is to stay strictly heterosexual as Dr Ranj told he can’t dance with a man

    Strictly is to stay strictly heterosexual as Dr Ranj told he can’t dance with a man

    The openly gay TV doctor won’t be allowed to dance with another man.

    (C) BBC

    In keeping with tradition, in more ways that one, Doctor Ranj Singh, despite identifying as gay, will only be allowed to dance with a woman on the BBC’s flagship show, Strictly Come Dancing.

    According to the statement released by the BBC, “Strictly has chosen the longstanding ballroom dancing format of mixed-sex couples and at the moment we have no plans to introduce same-sex couples”.

    Dr Ranj has spoken about his desire to dance with a man on the show. He told the Mirror, “I would love to dance with a same-sex partner. I would value a time when same-sex couples could dance on shows like Strictly. It is incredibly important. We are making progress but there is still time to go.”

    Is dr ranj gay,

    Dr Ranj is not the first Strictly alum to talk about same-sex dance partners. Former contestant Reverend Richard Coles said, “We’ve had a discussion about it, actually, and I don’t know. It makes absolutely no sense that anybody resists the idea, in principle. It’s just a question of doing it.”

    Judge Craig Revel Horwood also said that he could see same-sex dance couples working on the show saying, “I think a same-sex couple can exist. You only have to decide who’s going to go backwards,” he said. “In the world of competitions, there are same-sex couples that do it as well so there is no reason that can’t happen. The Beeb just have to decide if it’s something they want to do.”

    For the show, the doctor has been teamed up with Janette Manrara, who has danced with Peter Andre, Aston Merrygold, Melvin Odoom and Julien Macdonald in previous seasons of the hit show.

    Dr Ranj is the latest contestant to take part in the show who publicly identifies as lesbian gay or bisexual. As of 2018 there have been no transgender contestants on the show and as a whole Strictly’s casting has woefully unrepresented openly LGBT+ people. No one from the LGBT+ community has ever won the competition.

    Of 207 contestants since the shows premier in 2004 these are the openly LGB stars of the show.

    Series 1

    Jason Wood was the first openly gay person to take part in the show in 2004. He was paried with Kylie Jones and was voted out in week 2.

    Series 2

    Julian Clary performed alongside Erin Boag and came third.

    Series 3

    Colin Jackson appeared in the third season, however, he was not openly gay at that time. He came second in the competition.

    Series 9

    Russell Grant danced with Flavia Cacace and was booted in week 8.

    Series 12

    Scott Mills was paired with Joanne Clifton and was voted out in week 6.

    Series 14

    Will Young appeared in the show and danced with Karen Clifton until he with withdrew in week 3.

    Judge Rinder danced alongside Oksana Platero and was voted out in week 11.

    Series 15

    Rev Richard Coles danced with Dianne Buswell and was voted out in week 3.

    Susan Calman danced with Kevin Clifton and was voted out in week 10.

    Series 18

    Dr Ranj Singh danced opposite Janette Manrara

  • Which men are starring in Strictly Come Dancing on BBC1?

    Meet the men starring in Strictly Come Dancing 2017 – there’s an ex boybander, a comedian actors and even a man of the cloth…

    Ashton Merrygold

    Ashton Merrygold rose to fame during X Factor as part of the megaband JLS, one of the most successful losing (but winning bands in the history of the show). On joining Strictly he said,  “I’m so happy to be joining Strictly 2017, it is such a brilliant show and I’ve followed it for years. I’m both nervous and excited to learn from the professionals about a whole new way of dancing!”

    Brian Conley

    A household name in the field of industry. He is a comedian, actor and television presenter with a career spanning over 40 years. In 1992, Brian got his big break with the hugely successful The Brian Conley Show which went on to become Britain’s most-watched entertainment show at the time, coining his catchphrase: ‘It’s a puppet!’ Brian’s TV career has seen him win multiple awards including a National Television Award for Most Popular Television Performer. He has also performed/presented at the Royal Variety Performance eight times and recently hosted two series of BBC One’s The TV That Made Me. Brian has an extensive theatre career and has starred in many West End Productions; he’s recorded three albums and has acted in six films. He recently finished a sell-out tour of the UK and will star in his thirty-fifth pantomime this Christmas.

    Davood Ghadami

    Davood is a British actor, best known for his role as Kush Kazemi in EastEnders for which he won Best Newcomer at the TV Choice Awards. He was also nominated for Best Newcomer and Best Actor at the British Soap Awards. Davood has starred in the BBC One show since 2014 and set pulses racing when he joined as Albert Square’s latest ladies’ man. His first TV appearance was in 2005 on The Bill and his other TV work includes Doctor Who, The Omid Djalili Show, Taggart, Silent Witness, Life’s Too Short, Law & Order, Top Boy and Skins Redux. On stage, Davood has played Amir in 13 at the National Theatre, as well as working extensively for York Theatre Royal and Pilot Theatre.

    Joe McFadden

    Joe McFadden is a Scottish actor, born in Glasgow and best-known for playing the role of Raffaello ‘Raf’ di Lucca in BBC One’s medical drama, Holby City. He first came to national attention playing PC Joe Mason in Heartbeat and has also appeared in Take the High Road, The Crow Road and Sex, Chips & Rock ‘n’ Roll. In addition to his television roles, Joe also has a background in theatre appearing in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Rent in London’s West End.

    Jonnie Peacock

    Jonnie Peacock is a double Paralympic, World and European T44 100m Champion. He sensationally won his first Paralympic Gold medal in London 2012 in front of 80,000 people and has gone onto to win every major event that he’s entered, including the 2016 Paralympic Games and the 2017 World Championships in London this summer. Jonnie, a below the knee amputee, contracted meningitis at the age of five, but has bounced back to become one of Britain’s best known and most successful Para Athletes, breaking the World Record in 2012, setting a Personal Best for the 100m of 10.64 seconds this year and being awarded an MBE in the 2013 New Year’s Honours for services to athletics. Away from the athletics track Jonnie wants to an inspiration to young people of all abilities and is passionate about building the profile of disability sport both in Britain and around the World.

    Reverend Richard Coles

    Reverend Richard Coles is a writer, broadcaster and Church of England priest and co-hosts BBC Radio 4’s Saturday Live. He is the only Vicar in Britain to have had a number one hit single with pop band The Communards in the 1980s, which went on to have three UK top ten hits and the biggest-selling single of 1986, Don’t Leave Me This Way. Richard recently co-hosted BBC One’s The Big Painting Challenge and is a regular contributor to ‘Pause for Thought’ on the Radio 2 Chris Evans Breakfast Show, BBC One’s Have I Got News For You and QI. Richard was an inspiration for the main character in the BBC hit comedy Rev and served as a consultant to the series. He is Vicar of St Mary’s Church in Finedon, Northamptonshire and Chancellor of the University of Northampton.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Thoroughly Modern Millie – Leeds Grand Theatre and National Tour

    ★★★ | Thoroughly Modern Millie – Leeds Grand Theatre and National Tour

    Set in the prohibition era in 1920’s New York, Millie Dillmount arrives from Kansas determined to snag herself a rich husband, but ends up broke after being robbed, and finds her way to the Hotel Priscilla, a run-down establishment owned by Mrs Meers. Millie tries desperately to seduce her rich boss, whilst all the time falling for penniless Jimmy Smith. But when it comes to it, will Millie choose wealth over love, and will she ever work out why the girls in the hotel keep mysteriously disappearing?

    Photo Credit – Darren Bell

    Thoroughly Modern Millie is a traditional, old-school musical in a similar style to those written by Irving Berlin and Cole Porter. Using catchy songs, a will they/won’t they love story and gentile comedy, the show bounces along in a rather enjoyable manner and maintains all of the elements one would expect from such a production. The rather straightforward plot is interspersed with a number of pleasing ensemble dance breaks and littered with toe-tapping songs which progress the narrative. Throw into the mix a rather silly subplot involving disappearing hotel guests and an ending that could only happen in a musical and you have a fun show overall.

    Joanne Clifton (Strictly Come Dancing) throws her all into the title role and surpasses expectations as Millie. The dancing, as you would expect, was spot on, but her voice was an unexpected treat, with only a little overacting letting her down at times. Sam Barrett proved to be quite a charming leading man as Jimmy Smith and the ensemble proved their worth in the dance routines, in particular, Damian Buhagiar who stood out from the crowd with his committed and well-performed dancing.

    Where the show faltered was with an uncomfortably out of date portrayal Mrs Meers, the white slave trader (yes, that’s right!) as a pantomime style Chinese woman, complete with chopsticks in her hair and rather poor Pidgin English which jostles harshly against such an otherwise whimsical plot. The set was slightly uninspired, despite its art deco/Chrysler building influence; and a rather long penultimate scene in which Graham MacDuff’s portrayal of a drunken Mr Graydon and some fake corpsing certainly outstayed their welcome. The show could have also done with a reprise of one of the songs performed by the full cast to round off the evening as the curtain fell.

    Overall, the show is light, bubbly, breezy and undemanding and a generally solid production of a little performed, if slightly dated, musical. Clifton shines in the singing and dancing stakes and the show is ultimately a feel-good, if rather throwaway, piece of theatre.

    Thoroughly Modern Millie is currently at Leeds Grand Theatre (www.leedsgrandtheatre.com) until 22nd April 2017, before continuing on its national tour until the 15th July 2017. Full details can be found at the show’s webpage at http://modernmillie.co.uk/

  • Judge Rinder’s last dance as he’s booted from Strictly

    The breakout star of Strictly Come Dancing, Judge Rinder has been eliminated from BBC dance show.

    Is judge rinder gay?

    The openly gay TV star has become the 11th celebrity to be eliminated from the Strictly Come Dancing show, after receiving the lowest scores from the judging panel this weekend. The judge faced a dance-off with Ore and Joanne, but in the end, his performance wasn’t enough to impress the judges who voted to boot the judge from the show.

    Speaking about his time on the show, which has regularly topped the ratings war between ITV and the BBC, the daytime TV judge revealed it was a “joy” to be involved with the show.

    He said,

    “I know how difficult it is sometimes to be a judge and you do it with authenticity and enthusiasm and thank you all for your comments

    “And my last thank you and my most important one, this truly extraordinary person, this teacher who has shown me from somebody who could barely walk to music with no dance experience at all to find a passion and a love for dance and that’s the best kind of teaching.

    “You are never too old to try something new and everyone should try dancing, thank you so much.”

  • People are angry after Peter Kay’s “homophobic” joke on Judge Rinder

    Peter Kay has come under some strong criticism after a joke towards Strictly celeb Judge Rinder backfired.

    Peter Kay has been criticised after an interaction with Strictly celeb, Judge Rinder, who is gay, was interpreted as homophobic by viewers at home. The comedian was blasted on social media after telling Robert Rinder that his, “case was closed” after pretending that the Judge had touched his backside.

    Speaking to Judge Rinder directly Peter Kay said,

    “Hang on let me say hello to this fellow, he’s fantastic,” before the pair hugged. Peter Kay backing away continued, “Steady, watch it me lord! This case is firmly closed!”

    Almost immediately viewers on Twitter slammed the comedian for his poor judgement and “homophobia”.

    https://twitter.com/IncrediblyRich/status/800055852967133185

    https://twitter.com/JT007123/status/800244921676562432

     

     

    However many people also sided with Peter Kay and said that the joke was not homophobic,

    https://twitter.com/1980Karl/status/800284641269809152

    https://twitter.com/bignick47/status/800283999419723776

    Robert Rinder laughed heartedly at the comic, before Peter Kay continued with his job, which was read out the T&Cs of the Strictly Come Dancing phone in.

    THEGAYUK.com reached out to the BBC for comment.

     

  • Bruno’s flirting continues with Greg’s BUTT OF MARBLE

    Bruno’s flirting continues with Greg’s BUTT OF MARBLE

    Greg Rutherford’s bum was once again up for debate in last night’s episode of Strictly as judge Bruno Tonioli said he couldn’t take his eyes off it.

    Greg Rutherford Bum
    (C) BBC – Photographer: Guy Levy

    Greg Rutherford‘s bum has become a national talking point and it all started last week when his bottom became the subject of a both criticism and praise for being so muscly.

    The show’s host, Tess Daly, even joked that the women next to her were saying “nice bum” whilst Greg was whirling around the dance floor with his partner Natalie Lowe.

    After last week’s discussion about Greg’s toosh, the theme continued when Judge Len Goodman took the opportunity to tell the Olympian that his “bum was going to town”.

    But it was the openly gay judge Bruno who ramped up the flirting, shouting,

    “Keep going tiger… oooh Hurricane Greg.

    “ooh, you are an animal with a butt of marble.”

    With his eyes rolled to the ceiling, Bruno revealed he simply couldn’t take his eyes off Greg’s perky assets. “I don’t know why!” he quipped.

    The flirting all started when Greg rather coyly gave Bruno his candy floss.

    Which clearly made the judge’s day.

  • Is Bruno Tonioli gay?

    Is Bruno Tonioli gay?

    One of Strictly‘s most enduring judges is the passionate Bruno Tonioli. His excitement and intensity have been getting people questioning whether the TV personality is gay.

    is Bruno from Strictly gay
    BBC

    Is Bruno Tonioli gay?

    The simple answer to this is yes. The Italian dancer, choreographer and TV personality Bruno Tonioli is openly gay. In previous interviews, he has spoken candidly about how he was homophobically bullied as a child and joked that he was the “only gay” in his village. As a child, Bruno was more interested in going to musicals rather than playing football like the other boys in his village. He said that he was frightened and that he assumed that he was the only gay in his hometown.

    Speaking to The Mirror in 2005 he said,

    “When I was 10, I knew there was something different about me,

    “Everyone was football-mad but I just wanted to watch musicals and see art.

    “It was frightening. I really WAS the only gay in the village. I was labelled ‘the queenie guy’ and ‘the queer’, which was the worst thing you could be told in Italy in those days.

    BBC
    BBC

     

    Despite knowing that he was different to others, the topic of homosexuality and coming out to his family was totally off limits.

    “When I was growing up, Catholics didn’t talk about sex – it was taboo,” he says.

    “To my mum I was never gay. It was not in the realm of things my parents could compute. I was never even tempted to bring up the subject.

  • Craig Revel Horwood finds Greg Rutherford’s ass ATTRACTIVE

    Craig Revel Horwood finds Greg Rutherford’s ass ATTRACTIVE

    Greg Rutherford found his butt the centre of the Strictly judge’s comments in last night’s episode with Craig Revel Horwood and BrunoTonioli going to town on the Olympian’s toosh.

    Rutherford

    The Olympian Greg Rutherford and dance partner Natalie performed a sizzling tango on last night’s Strictly Come Dancing, but the instead of the critiquing his dancing ability Craig Revel Horwood and the rest of the judges were quick to judge his butt rather than his footwork. Craig even went as far as to say it was “attractive”.

    However it was Bruno Toniol who had the most praise for Greg’s bottom, saying,

    “What a handsome man, look at that! And a handsome tango. You were going like a locomotive at full speed – and I love that,

    “The bum, I don’t mind at all. I’m sorry people!”

    Len Goodman was the first to point out that Greg’s rather toned butt was on the “large” size, to which the medal winning sports star replied it was good for jumping with.

     

    Greg Rutherford
    BBC

    Earlier in the week, Craig Revel Horwood joked that he might be up for a relationship with a woman after his previous relationship went sour.  Speaking to the Loose Women panel,  he said wouldn’t put himself “out of any department” when asked if he would date women after splitting with his partner, Damon Scott back in May.

    The outspoken dance judge, who’s currently starring in BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, said that he was loving the single life and joked with the panel that the next person he’d like to date would be “honest and doesn’t sell stories on you”.

  • Judge Rinder excites fans with his surprisingly ripped chest

    TV Judge, Robert Rinder surprised fans in last night’s episode of Strictly Come Dancing when he revealed his stunningly hot chest.

    Judge Rinder who is currently starring on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing whipped up audience excitement when his costume allowed viewers to get a view of what’s usually beneath his judging robes.

    The openly gay star of ITV’s Judge Rinder showed off his hot body as he danced showing off his rather impressive moves. The judge who is usually covered from head to toe certainly seemed to enjoy the chance to show off his abs.

    The 39-year-old  TV star impressed so much that he and his dance partner received a standing ovation.

    In an earlier interview the Judge, who lives with his husband, Seth Cumming, revealed why he was taking part in this year’s show. He said,

    “I’m a private secret dancer and I love to dance. The main reason is as my grandparents get older it’s a show they absolutely love. Although they’ve always been unconditionally proud of me I think there is something magical about being able to take part in something which gives them such joy and escapism especially as they suffer from all sorts of illnesses.”

    ALSO READ: Benedict Cumberbatch actually married Judge Rinder and his Husband, Seth Cumming