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Strictly sign up boxer Nicola Adams to star in ‘show’s first ever same-sex couple’
STRICTLY Come Dancing is set to take a giant step forward by having its first same-sex couple.
Britain’s Olympic boxing champion Nicola Adams could be partnered with a woman when the delayed BBC One show returns.
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Nicola, 37, clinched a gold medal at the London 2012 Games and repeated the feat at Rio 2016. In doing so, she became the first openly LGBT person to take Olympic gold.
Bisexual Nicola was revealed on last night’s The One Show as one of the contestants along with Jason Bell, the ex fella of Girls Aloud’s Nadine Coyle, and Radio 1 DJ ’s Clara Amfo.
Pro dancers Graziano Di Prima and South African Johannes Radebe last year performed together, Strictly’s first one-on-one single gender routine. But they were not part of the main competition.
Now the Beeb is poised to follow ITV’s Dancing On Ice, which earlier this year featured Ian ‘H’ Watkins and professional Matt Evers being paired.
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Fans last night praised the BBC for its decision, with one, Claire Hayward, posting: “It’s great to be having a female same-sex couple on Strictly. I really admire Nicola so I’m pleased to see she is going to be the first one.”
Insiders said BBC bosses also want the 18th series, starting on October 24, to present their most diverse line-up following the Black Lives Matter protests.
Bell, 42, a one-time NFL player with the Dallas Cowboys, is part of that push. He has daughter Anaiya, six, with Nadine, 35, although the couple split last year.
And Clara, 36, who hosts the mid-morning radio programme, has been praised for an emotional speech after the death in the US of George Floyd this year.
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The BBC’s move for greater diversity follows accusations of racism previously — with stars of colour being voted out first.
Another new contestant is expected to be announced today on breakfast TV to bring the total number of confirmed celebs to seven.
Already revealed are popstar Max George, 31, plus actress Caroline Quentin, 60, and 55-year-old comic Bill Bailey.
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