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'Dancing On Ice' Beat ‘Strictly’ To Sign Up First Same Sex Dance Couple

'Dancing On Ice' Beat ‘Strictly’ To Sign Up First Same Sex Dance Couple

'Dancing On Ice' is reported to be the first show to sign a same-sex dance pairing for its 2020 show.

Joanna Freedman

Joanna Freedman

Dancing On Ice has today made TV history as they are said to have signed their first ever same-sex dance couple, beating Strictly Come Dancing to the mark.

A source told Pretty 52 that this year, celeb contestant Ian 'H' Watkins from Steps will be dancing with Matt Evers after personally requesting a male partner.

The 43-year-old pop star, who is openly gay, was said to be "fully supported" by ITV when he made the request.

American pro skater Matt, 43 - who was partnered with Gemma Collins last year - is also gay, and came out in 2018.

Psst...We have exciting news to share about the future of Pretty 52

'H' from Steps reportedly asked for a male partner
PA

He has been part of the Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield fronted skating show since it begun in 2006.

The insider said: "After conversations with the Dancing on Ice production team, H enquired as to the possibility of being paired with a male professional skater.

"Dancing on Ice were fully supportive of a same-sex partnership and as such this year H will be paired with Matt Evers".

While the reports are an exciting move for the ITV show, they are yet to be officially confirmed.

Matt Evers was paired with Gemma Collins last year
PA

When contacted by Pretty 52 for comment, Dancing On Ice said: "We won't be commenting on speculation around the Dancing on Ice pairings until closer to the new series in 2020."

The news comes after former judge Jason Gardiner previously said he would "love" to see same-sex couples taking to the ice, adding that in his eyes they would have to be gay have "validity".

He told the Belfast Telegraph: "Where it gets difficult is in terms of content because what works with the male-female show is, generally speaking, that the male is taller than the female. Therefore the female, (who is) slighter, will be able to be lifted.

"If we've got two men of the same build, shape and height, that's where it starts getting difficult. It's difficult to lift someone your own size above your head.

Strictly have had same sex group performances in the past
BBC

"We would then have to find a new way of presenting that, and that's a challenge. That would be a challenge for the show to overcome. But I would love that, absolutely."

Fans of rival show Strictly Come Dancing have also been calling for the show to allow same-sex partnerships for years.

While the BBC competition is yet to cast a same-sex pairing, last year they featured a same-sex professional performance.

Plus, they've confirmed they're "open to the prospect of including same sex pairings," should a celebrity be interested.

Featured Image Credit: ITV

Topics: TV News, Dancing on Ice, TV Entertainment