Strictly Come Dancing previously refused to have same-sex pairings on the show, a former professional has claimed.
Robin Windsor, who joined the BBC show in 2010, claims he "was a massive advocate for same-sex dancing" during his time on Strictly and mentioned it "many times" to bosses, but their reply was always "a flat out no".
The dancer says he realises now that "it wasn't the right time" for the change and praises Strictly for "paving the way" in terms of diversity and inclusivity over recent series of the star-studded competition.
Robin competed on the show from series eight until his departure after the 11th series and was partnered with Patsy Kensit, Anita Dobson, Lisa Riley and Deborah Meaden for those four stints on the famous dancefloor.
"It’s been amazing and the inclusivity has been great," Robin said when asked how he thinks the show has developed since he left
"Everybody can dance and everybody should have the opportunity, no matter what their background or disability is. Strictly is paving the way for that. Ellie [Simmonds] went on there this year and proved that to everybody."
He added: "The same-sex couple really hit me last year. I wished when I was growing up to see two men dancing like that on television. It would have made my coming out process a lot easier and made me understand who I was."
Speaking to Betway about the BBC show, Robin then revealed how he tried to get same-sex pairings on the dancefloor before the show introduced the change.
He explained: "The diversity that the show has got now is really important. If you go right back to the beginning, there was none and it’s grown. When I was dancing with Lisa Riley, I was a massive advocate for same-sex dancing. I mentioned it so many times and it was always a flat out no.
"I realise now that it wasn’t the right time. There needed to be a right time and the world is changing, it’s changed and it’s still changing. I think they’re getting it right now."
A representative for Strictly had no comment for the Mirror regarding Robin's comments.
When two professional dancers, Johannes Radebe and Graziano di Prima, danced together on the show in 2019, almost 200 viewers took to Twitter to claim they found it "offensive to watch two men dancing as a pair".
Former boxer Nicola Adams and and Strictly professional Katya Jones were the first same-sex pairing on the show in 2020, with Great British Bake Off champion John Whaite and Johannes making it all the way to the final of last year's series.
"Just to see two men or two women dancing together, it’s not necessarily about sexuality, it’s just about intimacy and respect," John told the BBC ahead of taking to the dancefloor for the first time.
This year's offering from Strictly saw two same-sex couples, with celebrities Jayde Adams and Richie Anderson partnering up with Karen Hauer and 2021 champion Giovanni Pernice respectively.
*The Strictly Come Dancing 2022 final will air on Saturday at 7.05pm on BBC One
