producers are reportedly looking to sign celebrities for two same-sex pairings in this year’s 20th-anniversary series.
Following the success of winner and former boxer , who both competed in the last two seasons of the hit programme, it looks like fans could be seeing two same-sex couples featured in the upcoming line-up.
‘It was clear from audience feedback that fans wanted to see celebrities competing with a partner of the same sex if that was their preference,’ an insider said.
‘After an all-female pairing and an all-male pairing, this year they were keen to have both.’
Adding to , the source added: ‘The thinking is that same-sex pairings will be very much part of Strictly in the future.’
Nicola, 39, was partnered with Katya Jones in 2020 and proved to be a hit with fans, but was forced to withdraw from the competition after
While John and former dance partner Johannes Radebe made it all the way to the final last year and finished in second place behind .
The pair, who are both gay, have spoken openly about how much of a positive impact the opportunity had on them, .Â
Chatting to , John said  in the series has been ‘really incredible.’Â
‘The amount of people who have messaged saying their kids can grow up in a world where two men or two women can dance together is mega.
‘Older members of the LGBTQ+ community have been so grateful that they’ve paved the way for this to happen.’
In March, BBC confirmed that show regulars Katya, Johannes, Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Giovanni Pernice, Kai Widdrington, Luba Mushtuk, and Nancy Xu will be coming back.
This year, on the judges’ panel, joining Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse.
Metro.co.uk has reached out to BBC for comment.
Strictly Come Dancing returns later this year to BBC One.
