September 28th 2024.
The first episode of Strictly Come Dancing was just as entertaining as ever, with its usual charm and allure that keeps viewers coming back year after year. As a fan of the show, I have to admit that there have only been three performances that have truly moved me to tears. Surprisingly, I have shed more tears while watching episodes of Come Dine With Me than I have while watching Strictly.
But there have been a few unforgettable moments on Strictly that have brought me to tears. One such moment was during the 2014 final when Caroline Flack glided across the dance floor like an angel during her show-stopping show dance. I couldn't help but cry at the sheer beauty and grace of her performance. And then there was the emotional dance by deaf contestant Rose Ayling-Ellis and her partner Giovanni Pernice, where they danced to complete silence in 2021. But the first time John Whaite and Johannes Radebe took to the stage as the show's first ever same-sex pairing, I couldn't hold back the tears.
However, John and Johannes were not actually the first same-sex pairing on Strictly. The previous year, Nicola Adams and her partner Katya Jones made history as the first ever same-sex pairing on the show. It was a pivotal moment, not just for Strictly, but for the entire LGBTQ+ community. For years, we had been calling for representation on what was considered the campest show on TV, but our pleas had gone unanswered.
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Unfortunately, Nicola's journey on the show was cut short when her partner Katya tested positive for Covid after two clunky performances. But even in their short time on the show, their partnership was so moving, entertaining, and most importantly, it felt normal. However, their performances did not bring me to tears. They were fun to watch, but it was clear they were not going to lift the Glitterball trophy. And while it was exciting to see Strictly finally catch up with the times, their performances were not enough to truly blow anyone away.
But when John and Johannes made their debut as a same-sex pairing, I was in awe of how beautiful their dance was. Their chemistry was electric, and every week they left us all speechless. They showed their vulnerability and captured our hearts, making it all the way to the final. I couldn't believe how beautiful two men dancing together could be.
In 2023, when Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin were paired, there was something particularly powerful about their bond. A straight man and a gay man performing together with such passion and tenderness, it was truly a sight to behold.
In the past four years, we have had five same-sex partnerships on Strictly. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I have rooted for each and every one of them. However, this year - the 20th anniversary of Strictly - there is no same-sex pairing in sight. And I actually think that's a good thing.
This current series of Strictly is the most important in its 20-year history. It has been plagued with controversy, from Giovanni Pernice being accused of bullying his celebrity partner, to Graziano Di Prima being fired for footage of him kicking his partner in training. Just two months ago, it seemed impossible for Strictly to resume or maintain its reputation as the most heartwarming show on TV. But somehow, they managed to do just that.
Shirley Ballas promised fans a line-up that would be "off the charts" to celebrate 20 years of Strictly, but the biggest name announced was Nick Knowles. And for many, there was an added disappointment when they noticed the glaring absence of a same-sex partnership. At first, I was also disappointed.
Representation has never been more important since Strictly introduced same-sex partnerships. The LGBTQ+ community has become a prominent presence on primetime Saturday night television, and it's been wonderful to see. So when it was announced that there would be no same-sex partnerships this year, I feared that we were taking a step back after making so much progress.
But now, I see it differently. Strictly may be taking another five steps forward by not including a same-sex partnership this year. I don't want the BBC to feel obligated to include them in the show anymore. It was crucial to have same-sex partnerships for the first time in 2020 - 16 years later than it should have been. And since then, it has been important to keep up the momentum and feature same-sex partnerships that are vastly different from each other.
But if anything, Strictly's decision not to include a same-sex pairing this year shows that it's not just a mandatory box-ticking exercise for them. There will be another same-sex pairing on the show in the future, most likely next year. And when that time comes, it will be because the pair deserves to lift the Glitterball trophy, not because the BBC feared backlash.
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When Strictly returned on Saturday night, I wondered if I would miss having a same-sex pairing to root for. And while I did miss it a little, I was completely blown away by the other meaningful representation throughout the night. Tasha Ghouri, who was born deaf, gave an electrifying performance with her lightning-paced Cha Cha, shooting straight to the top of the leaderboard and solidifying herself as the one to beat this season.
But the star of the night was comedian Chris McCausland. Chris is the first ever blind contestant to compete on Strictly, and his first performance felt like witnessing a miracle. Despite not being able to see, he attempted shapes and moves that most of us wouldn't dare to try, showcasing an incredible spatial awareness and fancy footwork that you would expect from a professional dancer. It was truly astonishing and reason enough to tune in to Strictly every week.
Saturday was a crucial night for Strictly Come Dancing, after months of negative attention. While the ratings may be down from previous years, there is still so much to celebrate. Chris's performance proved that he is about to embark on the most unforgettable Strictly journey we have seen in years. And the first episode was filled with the same entertainment that keeps us coming back to the show year after year.
There may not be a same-sex partnership this year, but against all odds, Strictly has returned with what could be its most pivotal season yet. And I have no doubt that in the future, there will be many more same-sex pairings to come.
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