Strictly's First Male Couple

[Thephoenix]

Journalist Scott Bryan in the Guardian, describes it as small steps for John Whaite, a giant leap for TV.

Strictly Come Dancing is one of the most popular TV shows ( my favourite Oti Mabuse )

The programme is a follow on from the 1960's 'Come Dancing' which was always popular in our house, and that followed on from another show called Television Dancing Club with Victor Sylvester......"Slow, slow, quick quick slow" ...how many of you remember that?

So the format of the show for the last 60 years has involved ballroom dancing between men and women, and was made even more popular following the success of the film 'Strictly Ballroom'

All the dances,  both traditional ballroom and Latin American were designed for a man and woman dancing together.
It didn't matter what the man's sexuality was as is often reflected in other genres of dance.
This still applies today with the gay professional dancers who have been part of the show, as well as gay judges.

Same sex couples are not allowed in mainstream competitive ballroom or Latin competitions.

Having watched the show in all it's formats over the years, and also pretty nifty on the dancefloor myself, I have to say I'm not in favour of this move.
How can the show still be called Strictly Ballroom?
Are the producers going to avoid the same sex male couple performing certain dances?
If they're doing traditional ballroom dances like the waltz, foxtrot etc, who's going to wear the frock?
Can you imagine the sultry Argentine Tango?

Gay men have always been welcome in ballroom dancing, many going on to be excellent coaches.

So is it really necessary to change the format now by having same sex couples?
Not according to ex judge Len Goodman

What's your view?




Hidden Image/Members Only

[Longshot]

%

[LLPunting]

Don't understand your inability to countenance 2 dance partners, regardless of how they identify, from dancing any dance as it's meant to be expressed.  If two guys want to dance the Argentine Tango in a passionate way then I'd be happy to watch and appreciate how they interpret the dance, I'd also be happy to see how 2 women might dance any of the styles.  Some of the dances are more about form others are more about the story they tell, don't see why gender would prevent any of the dances being performed well, particularly with Strictly where so much of the routines has been about the story-telling, more so than actual competitions.

[ronthebrummie]

Another great autumn / winter programme ruined by the woke BBC ffs cant they just leave things as they are.
Countryfile - a bloke in a wheel chair on top of a mountain?
Gardeners world - another bloke in a wheelchair?
BBC Morning news - an over the top camp weather person?
Question of sport - panel of imbaciles
Football - Chelsea ladies manager - never played at the top level?
don`t start me on Alex Scott and that thick twat Micah Richards
The list goes on and on

[Payyourwaymate]

I don't watch the show. I can understand why they are trying to incorporate it with the rise of LGBT acceptance in western society so it makes sense to appeal to the full demographic of the audience that could potentially watch the show. Personally, not my cup of tea; same sex being male or female. Infact, even standard male and female does not interest me, probably why I don't watch the show  .

[Stevelondon]

Another great autumn / winter programme ruined by the woke BBC ffs cant they just leave things as they are.
Countryfile - a bloke in a wheel chair on top of a mountain?
Gardeners world - another bloke in a wheelchair?
BBC Morning news - an over the top camp weather person?
Question of sport - panel of imbaciles
Football - Chelsea ladies manager - never played at the top level?
don`t start me on Alex Scott and that thick twat Micah Richards
The list goes on and on

Oh absolutely terrible to see someone in a wheelchair on tv. No way.........only able bodied people please.

As for the comment "Never played at top level"

What the fucks that got to do with how someone manages, male or female.

Mind you. I agree we should not have people from the midlands on radio or tv......feckin terrible accent. 

[The0neAnd0nly]

Another great autumn / winter programme ruined by the woke BBC ffs cant they just leave things as they are.
Countryfile - a bloke in a wheel chair on top of a mountain?
Gardeners world - another bloke in a wheelchair?
BBC Morning news - an over the top camp weather person?
Question of sport - panel of imbaciles
Football - Chelsea ladies manager - never played at the top level?
don`t start me on Alex Scott and that thick twat Micah Richards
The list goes on and on

Erm a bit contradictory I'd say and you are choosing specific points to fit your narrative

[PepeMAGA]

Not sure if it gives them any advantages, having two male partners. With the ice show, I think it does for lifts etc.
If they did a show that was purely male male would people watch it?

[Liverpool]

weather person?

How very woke of you.

[Thephoenix]

Don't understand your inability to countenance 2 dance partners, regardless of how they identify, from dancing any dance as it's meant to be expressed.  If two guys want to dance the Argentine Tango in a passionate way then I'd be happy to watch and appreciate how they interpret the dance, I'd also be happy to see how 2 women might dance any of the styles.  Some of the dances are more about form others are more about the story they tell, don't see why gender would prevent any of the dances being performed well, particularly with Strictly where so much of the routines has been about the story-telling, more so than actual competitions.

What makes you think I can't countenance two dance partners of the same sex dancing together.
Growing up after the war and in the heyday of ballroom dancing, it was common for me to watch my female relatives dancing together in some of the huge ballrooms around Liverpool and Blackpool.

If I want to watch same sex couples dancing in competitions, I can watch The Gay Games or The Pink Jukebox Trophy which are popular events within the LGBT community..... incidentally, only open to same sex couples.
Or even some of the Vogue dancing competitions....again, not open to mixed gender couples.

Other than the stampede for inclusiveness by the BBC, I'm not aware of any groundswell of opinion to include same sex couples in Strictly
Gay professional dancers have always seemed happy to dance with the opposite sex in the traditional way, as have all the previous gay and lesbian contestants.
I don't even see a lot of pressure coming from the LBGT community.
Graham Norton's not in favour of male/male partners as he thinks it will just muddy the water for the judging panel.

I get your point about how the dances have gradually adapted towards story telling, but I don't want the show to lose it's 'Strictly Ballroom' traditions which include the ability to perform the old traditional dances with the beautiful ballroom dresses etc.

I'm not homophobic in any way. It's got nothing to do with that. In fact I admire the openly gay professional dancer  Johannes Radebe and rate him as possibly being the best dancer on the show

I agree with the attempt to include contestants with disabilities as long as they're able to meet minimum standards and follow as much as possible the traditions of the show.

My worry is that the show's traditions are becoming less important than the broadcaster's apparent need to foist their policy of having to include every race, age, gender,  body shape and disability in the show.
Maybe that's what the second poster meant when he simply put %?

Maybe they won't be satisfied until we have the first mixed race, gay/lesbian, blind, fat, 90 year's old Siamese twins who insist on having their own same sex partners...... okay, slightly exaggerated.

In any case, I know I'm fighting a losing battle.
A same sex male couple has apparently already won the equivalent competition in Denmark.

Plus apparently ol'codgers like me don't generally vote in reality shows, so what hope is there.

[Marmalade]

I think most of the programme is pretty poor anyway, the first few episodes will be mostly celebrities who most people haven’t heard of and who can’t fucking dance.

As a bonus, the worst dancers each week get to perform again (the ‘dance off’). So a repeat of the worst bits.

There’s no denying the professional dancers are good dancers, and there’ll be a spot where the idiot ‘celebrities’ are kept off the dance floor while some ‘proper’ stuff is done by people who know how. But even that will be tarted up with stupid gimmicks and costumes. The inclusion of same sex couples is another gimmick.

The only sense that the same sex couples thing is interesting apart from voyeurism and virtue-signalling is the technical aspect of a woman learning to lead or a man learning to follow. In real life, I suspect this is the only time, outside of rare gay events, where same sex couples seriously attempt ballroom or Latin dancing on the dance floor. Gayness might be cool, but the pathetic attempt at same sex without gayness is not. How many same sex couples have ever won a major dance competition? NONE.

It’s a nice symbol (‘step forward’ sounds like a disastrously unintentional pun) for recognising gay equality except the gay aspect is not emphasised, only hinted at.

They might show us the ‘romantic’ connection between two men, for instance in a Viennese Waltz, but how far will they go to incorporate a ‘sexual’ element (euphemistically called ‘sizzling’) in dances that are historically sexual such as Argentine Tango? While I’m not a big fan of watching gay men get sexual, I’d be fascinated to see them pulling off sexual attraction as part of the dance, real or feigned.

One of the unfortunate things about Strictly is that in the gross attempt to be family orientated there is none of the sexual poetry that make many dances come alive. While it might be politely restrained in Ballroom, it should be given credit in some forms of samba, salsa, and rumba. Among the best exponents in a proposed same-sex couple would be transexual males, many of whom have learnt to flaunt it in Brazil.

Not that we’ll get anything as remotely exciting on ‘Strictly’.

[king tarzan]

Society is being ruined.
Leicester Square back in the mid 90's to early 2000's was so much fun.. all the hotties high heels short skirts.. the club scene..👅👅👅👅😋😋😋😋😋

Now absolutely abhorrent..🤮

[Woblybobsdog]

Thankgod for this.
Gay men are SO underrepresented in the performing arts

[king tarzan]

Thankgod for this.
Gay men are SO underrepresented in the performing arts

Do you have any conservative moral values like myself?

Seems you don't!

[Marmalade]

Do you have any conservative moral values like myself?

Seems you don't!

I think it’s a more a case of misconstrued belief. If anything, gay men are probably over-represented in the performing arts as a whole (theatre, musical theatre, ballet): just not ballroom (partner) dancing. That’s because, rightly or wrongly, and unlike other sectors, it has developed as a heterosexual display of male+female partner techniques.

[Problem Child]

Another great autumn / winter programme ruined by the woke BBC ffs cant they just leave things as they are.
Countryfile - a bloke in a wheel chair on top of a mountain?
Gardeners world - another bloke in a wheelchair?
BBC Morning news - an over the top camp weather person?
Question of sport - panel of imbaciles
Football - Chelsea ladies manager - never played at the top level?
don`t start me on Alex Scott and that thick twat Micah Richards
The list goes on and on

*imbeciles

[RedKettle]

Does it really matter? 

If you have a problem then do not watch.  You might want to wonder why you have a problem with it.

[LLPunting]

What makes you think I can't countenance two dance partners of the same sex dancing together.
Growing up after the war and in the heyday of ballroom dancing, it was common for me to watch my female relatives dancing together in some of the huge ballrooms around Liverpool and Blackpool.

If I want to watch same sex couples dancing in competitions, I can watch The Gay Games or The Pink Jukebox Trophy which are popular events within the LGBT community..... incidentally, only open to same sex couples.
Or even some of the Vogue dancing competitions....again, not open to mixed gender couples.

Other than the stampede for inclusiveness by the BBC, I'm not aware of any groundswell of opinion to include same sex couples in Strictly
Gay professional dancers have always seemed happy to dance with the opposite sex in the traditional way, as have all the previous gay and lesbian contestants.
I don't even see a lot of pressure coming from the LBGT community.
Graham Norton's not in favour of male/male partners as he thinks it will just muddy the water for the judging panel.

I get your point about how the dances have gradually adapted towards story telling, but I don't want the show to lose it's 'Strictly Ballroom' traditions which include the ability to perform the old traditional dances with the beautiful ballroom dresses etc.

I'm not homophobic in any way. It's got nothing to do with that. In fact I admire the openly gay professional dancer  Johannes Radebe and rate him as possibly being the best dancer on the show

I agree with the attempt to include contestants with disabilities as long as they're able to meet minimum standards and follow as much as possible the traditions of the show.

My worry is that the show's traditions are becoming less important than the broadcaster's apparent need to foist their policy of having to include every race, age, gender,  body shape and disability in the show.
Maybe that's what the second poster meant when he simply put %?

Maybe they won't be satisfied until we have the first mixed race, gay/lesbian, blind, fat, 90 year's old Siamese twins who insist on having their own same sex partners...... okay, slightly exaggerated.

In any case, I know I'm fighting a losing battle.
A same sex male couple has apparently already won the equivalent competition in Denmark.

Plus apparently ol'codgers like me don't generally vote in reality shows, so what hope is there.

Thanks TP for the reply, I did not mean to imply any overt or indeed malicious homophobia on your part, given your familiarity with the scene I was trying to understand your "objection" to what is ultimately artistic impression, which has to evolve to remain "relevant" and vibrant.

It may well be that given enough of a chance it proves to be uninspiring and lacking compared to "hetero" dancing but they should be given a chance to represent in an inclusive forum.  All the segregation just maintains the combative arguments lobbed by the activists on both sides.  Non-disproportionate representation in a merit-judged competition is all that's needed.

The "acceptable" same sex partnering of ladies in the lens of old-fashioned social blinkering and prejudices isn't the same as the open-eyed appreciation of 2 partners dancing for and with one another.  We've accepted interacting formation dancing both single-sexed and mixed for decades, supposedly without acknowledging the orientation of the participants, how is it really an affront to do so with partner dancing?  We're not being asked to watch gay hardcore porn on primetime.

Certainly dresses have been part of the carnival in the past, though the evolution seems to be for there to be less and less dress!  Not that I'm complaining, given the fitness, form and sensuality
that is being displayed/exposed by (the lack of) them.  But the audience is predominantly female (and gay male) and they appreciate the (lack of) costume being won by fit, virile, expressive males.

The gay community have had to exist within the constraints of hetero broadcasting and events and the gradual liberalisation this past century but that's not to say it's correct to persist with their suppression for the sake of what?  And the gay community have generally been more accepting of dancing with whichever gender is having fun in the moment, no small reason that hen-parties go to gay clubs for the fun without the harassment of predatory pricks (dealing with aggressive dykes is another issue).

Just discussing not trying to be incendiary.

[lamboman]

Another great autumn / winter programme ruined by the woke BBC ffs cant they just leave things as they are.
Countryfile - a bloke in a wheel chair on top of a mountain?
Gardeners world - another bloke in a wheelchair?
BBC Morning news - an over the top camp weather person?
Question of sport - panel of imbaciles
Football - Chelsea ladies manager - never played at the top level?
don`t start me on Alex Scott and that thick twat Micah Richards
The list goes on and on

You'll be spitting chips when SCD has 2 gay wheelchair users,only a matter of time.

[LLPunting]

Not sure if it gives them any advantages, having two male partners. With the ice show, I think it does for lifts etc.
If they did a show that was purely male male would people watch it?

The comparative size and strength of two partners only becomes an issue if you're trying to enforce some apparent power imbalance for the sake of a specific aesthetic.
Having 2 partners who are equally capable of being the lifter or liftee opens up the dynamic that can be explored and serves to embody the equality of partnership (virtue signalling perhaps but some people don't get sub-texts).

[Liverpool]

Society is being ruined.
Leicester Square back in the mid 90's to early 2000's was so much fun.. all the hotties high heels short skirts.. the club scene..👅👅👅👅😋😋😋😋😋

Now absolutely abhorrent..🤮

Care to elaborate on your homophobia? Strictly doesn't strike me as your 'go to' show, so why is so 'abhorrent'?

[PepeMAGA]

The comparative size and strength of two partners only becomes an issue if you're trying to enforce some apparent power imbalance for the sake of a specific aesthetic.
Having 2 partners who are equally capable of being the lifter or liftee opens up the dynamic that can be explored and serves to embody the equality of partnership (virtue signalling perhaps but some people don't get sub-texts).

That's my point, it may advantage the male male team by allowing them more options in movement and routines.

[Thephoenix]

Does it really matter? 

If you have a problem then do not watch.  You might want to wonder why you have a problem with it.

Well I've been watching the programme in it's various formats since the 1950's.
I thought I'd explained why I'm not in favour of the same sex couples in my lengthy posts if you care to read them carefully.
I'm not sure if you're suggesting my objections are related to homophobia. If so, you're completely wrong and I'm offended by that inference.

[RedKettle]

Well I've been watching the programme in it's various formats since the 1950's.
I thought I'd explained why I'm not in favour of the same sex couples in my lengthy posts if you care to read them carefully.
I'm not sure if you're suggesting my objections are related to homophobia. If so, you're completely wrong and I'm offended by that inference.

To be fair my comments were not aimed at you, apology I fired too fast.  You did indeed give a sensible narrative based on experience and knowledge. For some it is simply an automatic reaction to the idea of anything gay.

[suttonporksword]

Another great autumn / winter programme ruined by the woke BBC ffs cant they just leave things as they are.
Countryfile - a bloke in a wheel chair on top of a mountain?
Gardeners world - another bloke in a wheelchair?
BBC Morning news - an over the top camp weather person?
Question of sport - panel of imbaciles
Football - Chelsea ladies manager - never played at the top level?
don`t start me on Alex Scott and that thick twat Micah Richards
The list goes on and on

Have to agree. I am all for equality but positive discrimination does nothing for the quality of the programmes. Put the best person for the job in the role and if it means others have to up their game that's good motivation. I do also have to add that the last leg is one of the best programmes on tv and would be regardless of whether or not adam hills has a prosthetic leg

[Marmalade]

If it’s a one-off then it can be justified as a novelty. It it’s a more regular thing, how about a professional dancer who is openly gay? Except that would mean gay people were *over-represented *.

I think it’s a great show on the last leg, agreed, but all the inclusiveness in the early stages is pretty naff. Yes, very fat, one-armed geriatric plodders can dance better with training than without but they won’t make *good* dancers any more than they’ll make the Olympics team.

But Strictly still has a crowd-pleasing formula. Who are we to argue. A same sex couple helps to keep it in the news. Financially and status-wise, TV formats are an important export. Now dozens of countries have a Strictly, an X-Factor, a Voice.

[PunterNumber69]

Another great autumn / winter programme ruined by the woke BBC ffs cant they just leave things as they are.
Countryfile - a bloke in a wheel chair on top of a mountain?
Gardeners world - another bloke in a wheelchair?
BBC Morning news - an over the top camp weather person?
Question of sport - panel of imbaciles
Football - Chelsea ladies manager - never played at the top level?
don`t start me on Alex Scott and that thick twat Micah Richards
The list goes on and on

I think it's great that British TV has diversity in its presenters and announcers.  Everyone ahould have equal opportunities and I think having this diversity allows people to better understand and relate to those with disabilities. It also shows to children growing up with a disability that they can do jobs that in previous generations were not available to them. Having a disability doesn't make you less of a person.  You wouldn't see people with disabilities as TV presenters in the US because they think people want to see perfect people. The reality is that people have a variety of physical and mental conditions, we age, we go grey, we get fat, we get thin, we go bald, we get wrinkles, some people are gay, some people are straight, some people are short, some are tall, some have perfect teeth and some have bad teeth. They're all people. They all have something to say.  They all help us learn about different people and the challenges they face and the things they also add to our lives.  We should embrace them.

This aspect of British TV makes me proud to be British.

[Marmalade]

Yeah wonderful!

So no Amanda Holden with her tits half out then??

[JamesKW]

Journalist Scott Bryan in the Guardian, describes it as small steps for John Whaite, a giant leap for TV.

Hidden Image/Members Only

Not a giant leap for TV didnt they have an all male couple with the STEPS guy in the ice skating show on ITV.

[donnybob]

Another great autumn / winter programme ruined by the woke BBC ffs cant they just leave things as they are.
Countryfile - a bloke in a wheel chair on top of a mountain?
Gardeners world - another bloke in a wheelchair?
BBC Morning news - an over the top camp weather person?
Question of sport - panel of imbaciles
Football - Chelsea ladies manager - never played at the top level?
don`t start me on Alex Scott and that thick twat Micah Richards
The list goes on and on

There is some consumer programme that the wife watches with Joe Lycett and he has some woman on who I am told is a female comedian and I cannot understand a single word she says due to some speech impediment

[sir wanksalot]

I think it's great that British TV has diversity in its presenters and announcers.  Everyone ahould have equal opportunities and I think having this diversity allows people to better understand and relate to those with disabilities. It also shows to children growing up with a disability that they can do jobs that in previous generations were not available to them. Having a disability doesn't make you less of a person.  You wouldn't see people with disabilities as TV presenters in the US because they think people want to see perfect people. The reality is that people have a variety of physical and mental conditions, we age, we go grey, we get fat, we get thin, we go bald, we get wrinkles, some people are gay, some people are straight, some people are short, some are tall, some have perfect teeth and some have bad teeth. They're all people. They all have something to say.  They all help us learn about different people and the challenges they face and the things they also add to our lives.  We should embrace them.

This aspect of British TV makes me proud to be British.

Yes....in theory.

I would hazard a guess that the BBC actually NEED to recruit gay presenters to the network but is that really "equal opportunity"?

[PunterNumber69]

Yes....in theory.

I would hazard a guess that the BBC actually NEED to recruit gay presenters to the network but is that really "equal opportunity"?

Do you not think that it's important to have a broadcaster be representative of the many groups of people in the countries it broadcasts to?

I'm not for positive recruitment. It should be whoever is best qualified/experienced to perform a role. Over time it should become the norm that companies have a more diiverse workforce instead of ignoring groups of people who may have specialist skills would be perfect for a company.

You should watch programmes like Employable Me on iPlayer.  It's good to see people who are keen to work but have a disability be helped to find jobs that are right for them.

[The Film Director]

Have to agree. I am all for equality but positive discrimination does nothing for the quality of the programmes. Put the best person for the job in the role and if it means others have to up their game that's good motivation. I do also have to add that the last leg is one of the best programmes on tv and would be regardless of whether or not adam hills has a prosthetic leg

What? .... on Strictly Come Dancing. 

[sir wanksalot]

Do you not think that it's important to have a broadcaster be representative of the many groups of people in the countries it broadcasts to?

I'm not for positive recruitment. It should be whoever is best qualified/experienced to perform a role. Over time it should become the norm that companies have a more diiverse workforce instead of ignoring groups of people who may have specialist skills would be perfect for a company.

You should watch programmes like Employable Me on iPlayer.  It's good to see people who are keen to work but have a disability be helped to find jobs that are right for them.

Yes but doesn't it then become a never ending quest to identify the next group of under represented people?

I don't recall SCD featuring any celebrities with tourettes syndrome or someone in a wheelchair or a blind celebrity. There is then the risk of the BBC being accused of only choosing the minority groups that are more palatable to the viewing audience.

You mention the "many groups of people" in this country but what is the criteria that the BBC identify those people?

[PepeMAGA]

Do you not think that it's important to have a broadcaster be representative of the many groups of people in the countries it broadcasts to?

I'm not for positive recruitment. It should be whoever is best qualified/experienced to perform a role. Over time it should become the norm that companies have a more diiverse workforce instead of ignoring groups of people who may have specialist skills would be perfect for a company.

You should watch programmes like Employable Me on iPlayer.  It's good to see people who are keen to work but have a disability be helped to find jobs that are right for them.

If they're the best Person for the job. The BBC go further than that and actively exclude white people from applying for some jobs and over represent in presenting roles.

[Liverpool]

If they're the best Person for the job. The BBC go further than that and actively exclude white people from applying for some jobs and over represent in presenting roles.

Your proof?

[Marmalade]

When it comes to Strictly, “best person for the job” might mean “person, or type of person that will get best audience ratings, within budget and within any official inclusivity guidelines”.

There again, they got most of that wrong on Dr Who and look likely to repeat the mistake.

[LLPunting]

When it comes to Strictly, “best person for the job” might mean “person, or type of person that will get best audience ratings, within budget and within any official inclusivity guidelines”.

There again, they got most of that wrong on Dr Who and look likely to repeat the mistake.

Or "is female, has a great figure and likes to show off plenty of skin in a provocative fashion."  Love Claudia as an exception but wish they'd apply this criteria to vote Tess off.

Sadly Dr Who won't be subscribing to that selection process for fear of losing it's flatulently woke agenda promoting nauseating female personas that are more "real" and "complex".

[PepeMAGA]

Your proof?

External Link/Members Only

[PepeMAGA]

Or "is female, has a great figure and likes to show off plenty of skin in a provocative fashion."  Love Claudia as an exception but wish they'd apply this criteria to vote Tess off.

Sadly Dr Who won't be subscribing to that selection process for fear of losing it's flatulently woke agenda promoting nauseating female personas that are more "real" and "complex".

The choice of actress and the character of her female doctor seemed purposely boring as well? Maybe the reaction would have been better with a more interesting doctor. Like the missy version of the master.
I kind of think that was purposeful though

[Thephoenix]

I think it's great that British TV has diversity in its presenters and announcers.  Everyone ahould have equal opportunities and I think having this diversity allows people to better understand and relate to those with disabilities. It also shows to children growing up with a disability that they can do jobs that in previous generations were not available to them. Having a disability doesn't make you less of a person.  You wouldn't see people with disabilities as TV presenters in the US because they think people want to see perfect people. The reality is that people have a variety of physical and mental conditions, we age, we go grey, we get fat, we get thin, we go bald, we get wrinkles, some people are gay, some people are straight, some people are short, some are tall, some have perfect teeth and some have bad teeth. They're all people. They all have something to say. 
         
...******* They all help us learn about different people and the challenges they face and the things they also add to our lives.  We should embrace them.********

But I already know about different people and the challenges they face and the things they also add to our lives.

I don't need some snotty young producer more than half my age teaching me that, particularly when what I want is to watch a show about dancing, that seems to have been very popular and successful for the past 60 years, without anyone seeing a need to foist two men doing dances which were designed and performed for years in the traditional way between a man and a woman whatever their sexuality might be.

When they want to know what our opinions are, they'll give them to us.

[PunterNumber69]

But I already know about different people and the challenges they face and the things they also add to our lives.

I don't need some snotty young producer more than half my age teaching me that, particularly when what I want is to watch a show about dancing, that seems to have been very popular and successful for the past 60 years, without anyone seeing a need to foist two men doing dances which were designed and performed for years in the traditional way between a man and a woman whatever their sexuality might be.

When they want to know what our opinions are, they'll give them to us.

Unfortunately not everyone is as educated about these issues as you, hence they want to be inclusive

[LLPunting]

The choice of actress and the character of her female doctor seemed purposely boring as well? Maybe the reaction would have been better with a more interesting doctor. Like the missy version of the master.
I kind of think that was purposeful though

Missy was fun (as was River Song) the problem is associating female sexiness with evil. "Missy" was practically typecast from her other role as a predatory hospital administrator.

[Yankee21]

Good to see a same sex couple, reflects a society in which we all live in.
Well done the BBC

[PepeMAGA]

Missy was fun (as was River Song) the problem is associating female sexiness with evil. "Missy" was practically typecast from her other role as a predatory hospital administrator.

Good point.

[Marmalade]

Care to elaborate on your homophobia? Strictly doesn't strike me as your 'go to' show, so why is so 'abhorrent'?

I think he's just expressing a feeling some heterosexuals have of being pushed out. Strictly for a long time has been a straight dance show so will have many followers who like to indulge purely hetero fantasies.

If I go to a gay or mixed nightclub or bar with a woman, I would consider it rude to snog her there. Likewise I think it can be offensive fro a gay couple to engage in heavy snogging in a 'straight' bar. Not saying it should be like that, or that it should change, but I think that is a commonly accepted standard of politeness just now.

Personally I don't mind too much if it's not thrust down my throat (no pun intended). Other people's sexual activity is none of my business (unless they express a sexual interest in me or vice versa). Live and let live. But gayness also needs to return the respect it seeks, rather than impose it.

Strictly will survive. But I'd like it to be mainly about the dancing. Just as I'd like Dr Who (fwiw) to be mainly about the sci-fi.

[Marmalade]

Missy was fun (as was River Song) the problem is associating female sexiness with evil. "Missy" was practically typecast from her other role as a predatory hospital administrator.

Good strong characters. I think it's harder to get women in 'good' leading roles, partly as there's fewer precedents. Scarlet Johannsen was brilliant in Ghost in the Shell: but the trailers for Black Widow are much less promising.

[Thephoenix]

I think he's just expressing a feeling some heterosexuals have of being pushed out. Strictly for a long time has been a straight dance show so will have many followers who like to indulge purely hetero fantasies.

But gayness also needs to return the respect it seeks, rather than impose it.

Strictly will survive. But I'd like it to be mainly about the dancing. Just as I'd like Dr Who (fwiw) to be mainly about the sci-fi.

Well I guess I'm heterosexual - ish,  probably more accurately described as DOM. ( Dirty Old Man)

Ballroom and Latin dancing which is the long standing tradition of the show, is popular with gay men.

That's why there's always been two gay judges, gay professional dancers and gay contestants.

I don't watch Strictly to indulge in fantasies. I watch it to enjoy the dancing.

I haven't heard any of the judges or professional dancers, (past of present), pressing for the introduction of same sex dancing. The gay professional dancers started their careers in the traditions of ballroom dancing.

I wonder if some of the comments saying it's a good idea, are really fans of the show and appreciate it's traditions.

There are already a number of National and International gay same sex dance competitions, and guess what...
they don't allow male/female contestants.

So other than some young woke BBC producers being obsessed about what they see as the need for 'inclusiveness', were is this groundswell of opinion wishing to break years of tradition in dance.

It's always been inclusive....you don't need to completely change years of tradition.

Ok, rant over... I'll go and have my nap now and fantasize about Oti Mabuse.


Hidden Image/Members Only



Hidden Image/Members Only

[Marmalade]

Well I guess I'm heterosexual - ish,  probably more accurately described as DOM. ( Dirty Old Man)

Ballroom and Latin dancing which is the long standing tradition of the show, is popular with gay men.

That's why there's always been two gay judges, gay professional dancers and gay contestants.

I don't watch Strictly to indulge in fantasies. I watch it to enjoy the dancing.

I haven't heard any of the judges or professional dancers, (past of present), pressing for the introduction of same sex dancing. The gay professional dancers started their careers in the traditions of ballroom dancing.

I wonder if some of the comments saying it's a good idea, are really fans of the show and appreciate it's traditions.

There are already a number of National and International gay same sex dance competitions, and guess what...
they don't allow male/female contestants.

So other than some young woke BBC producers being obsessed about what they see as the need for 'inclusiveness', were is this groundswell of opinion wishing to break years of tradition in dance.

It's always been inclusive....you don't need to completely change years of tradition.

Very original comment! 

[Chorley]

Another great autumn / winter programme ruined by the woke BBC ffs cant they just leave things as they are.
Countryfile - a bloke in a wheel chair on top of a mountain?
Gardeners world - another bloke in a wheelchair?
BBC Morning news - an over the top camp weather person?
Question of sport - panel of imbaciles
Football - Chelsea ladies manager - never played at the top level?
don`t start me on Alex Scott and that thick twat Micah Richards
The list goes on and on

FFS! Alf Garnett walks amongst us. Twat!