The show has it's critics on here, but the Guinness World Records has named strictly to be the world's most successful reality television format, with last year's UK final being watched by
11 million people.
Anyone joining in last year's discussion, will know that I'm a big fan and (was) participant of ballroom & Latin dancing and have watched the show from it's original format in 1950/60s.
I didn't see the need to include same sex couples as for me it went against the old traditions of the show. However I know I'm swimming against the tide, particularly as the show now has a large fan base in the LGBT community, and with the BBC wanting to be seen as 'inclusive'.
As a traditionalist, there are still enough MF couples for me to enjoy the original choreography of the dances which were designed for mixed couples , whilst at the same time seeing how creative the pro dancers can be to showcase their same sex partners, and even more so those with disabilities.
Last year's finalists of a m/m couple versus the male pro dancing with the deaf girl, was one of the best I've seen.
This year includes an interesting competitor Ellie Simmons OBE, the Paralympian swimmer who has dwarfism.
Again as a traditionalist my knee jerk reaction was 'how's that going to work then?'
Then I watched her being interviewed about being on the show, and she's such a lovely girl with a great personality and loves to dance, so I really want her to do well.
Of course the show won't really be the same this year with the departure of Oti Mabuse
Hidden Image/Members Onlybut at least we can still feast our eyes on the gorgeous Nadya Bychkova
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