Stephen Fry can't bear to watch Strictly Come Dancing and here’s why

Stephen Fry has revealed that he "absolutely cannot bear" BBC's Strictly Come Dancing. The 65-year-old actor and broadcaster did explain, however, that the reason for this is not because he's being "snobbish".

"Anything to do with dancing, I absolutely cannot bear it," said Stephen before adding: “I know people think I’m being snobbish or looking down on it – I’m not. Most of my friends are very fond of Strictly. I cannot look at it – it reminds me of the possibility that, in a horrible world, I could wake up and be forced to take part in something like that.”

He continued: “It takes me back to school – being asked to climb a rope or join a team or do something physical. I think it goes back to an embarrassment with my body.” Previously, Stephen has described how he also finds it embarrassing when he sees other people moving to music.

Read more: James Corden banned from restaurant and branded ‘tiny cretin' by owner

The Strictly Come Dancing 2022 cast (BBC)

Elsewhere on The Radio Times View From My Sofa podcast, Stephen also stressed his pride at being involved in two dramas centred around the LGBTQ+ community - Channel 4's It's A Sin and Netflix's Heartstopper. First discussing his role as Arthur Garrison in Russell T Davies' It's A Sin, he said: “It’s A Sin is a magnificent piece of writing which deliberately wants to open up that world [of the 80s Aids epidemic] and have the full discussion that we never really had at that time.”

Then talking about Heartstopper, Stephen added: “When I saw the script for Heartstopper I thought, ‘My God, if that had been available when I was 13, 14, 15, what an unbelievable difference that would have made.’ It gives special pleasure to think maybe someone could watch it and feel vindicated at least a little.” In the series, he provided the voice for the role of Headmaster Barnes.

Whilst viewers shouldn't expect to see Stephen on the series, Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday, October 22 in an episode dedicated to the BBC's centenary. You can read more about the celebration here.

READ NEXT:

• Sickness hits Strictly Come Dancing with professionals and celebrities falling 'very very ill'

• BBC Strictly's Fleur East's husband wanted her steamy tango to be more sexy

• BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Hamza has lost more than a stone since joining show

• Strictly Come Dancing's Hamza Yasin started career path in Wales wearing pink tutu and shiny tights before finding fame

• The Strictly superfan leaking results as TV bosses desperately try to find mole giving him spoilers