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Ex-Strictly head judge Len Goodman questions BBC’s decision to allow same-sex partners

STRICTLY veteran Len Goodman has questioned the BBC’s decision to allow same-sex partners.

Celebs are expected to get a choice of a male or female partner next year — but the 75-year-old said he was an “old traditionalist”.

 Ex-Strictly Come Dancing judge Len Goodman has questioned the BBC's decision to allow same-sex couples on the show
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Ex-Strictly Come Dancing judge Len Goodman has questioned the BBC's decision to allow same-sex couples on the showCredit: Daniel Jones - The Sun

Len, head judge for 12 years until quitting in 2016, said: “I’ve judged what they used to call pink competitions with ladies dancing together, and a load of guys.

"They were of a very high standard, terrific dancing actually. Somehow whilst you were judging it, you didn’t even notice.

“It wasn’t that one of the men was dressed in a frock or anything, it was done in a very tasteful way. So if it’s done in that way I think it would be OK.

“But that doesn’t change the fact I’m an old traditionalist.”

 The 75-year-old was head judge of Strictly for 12 years until quitting in 2016
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The 75-year-old was head judge of Strictly for 12 years until quitting in 2016Credit: ABC
 Last year, professional dancers incorporated a same sex segment into one of their routines
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Last year, professional dancers incorporated a same sex segment into one of their routinesCredit: bbc

He added:“The thing is, it’s so difficult to please everyone. What I’m used to is traditional ballroom and Latin dancing.

"When I was judging on Strictly, if somebody did some outlandish movement I didn’t like it.

"I like it as it was, but everything moves on. If they do it, there’ll be people saying, ‘I’m not going to watch it any more’.

"And if they don’t do it, there’ll be people saying, ‘Well, you’re homophobic’. They can’t win.”

Len, taking part in the Tony Hadley Golf Classic in aid of Action Medical Research for Children, was asked if he would have sympathy for older viewers.

And he replied: “Yes, ’cos I’m one of those older people myself.”

Strictly Come Dancing 2019 all pairs perform an amazing group dance to end first episode


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