AJ Pritchard puts himself up for 'Strictly Come Dancing's first same-sex partnership

AJ Pritchard has said that he’d be up for competing in Strictly Come Dancing’s first ever same-sex partnership.

The pro-dancer, who has been paired with Claudia Fragapane, Mollie King and Lauren Steadman in past shows, with whom he reached the semi-finals, has said that he’s the mn for the job, should it arise.

“If they do decide to finally do same-sex partners on Strictly this year I 100% want to be the pro to do it,” he told the Daily Mail.

“If it’s going to be anyone [in a same-sex pairing], I’d like it to be me. I’m 100% the pro to do it. I guess it all depends on who the celebrity contestants are this year.

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“So I think we have to wait and see; but if same-sex partnerships do happen it’s going to be so captivating. And I am very open to it. People enjoy seeing bodies moving, it doesn’t matter [about gender].”

The show has yet to feature a same-sex couple competing in the series.

However, it did feature a same-sex routine of the show’s pro-dancers last series, which went down a storm with viewers.

Head judge Shirley Ballas has previously broached the subject.

“We have same-sex competitions in my industry. It’s movement to music at the end of the day,” she said.

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“When I’m teaching a lecture, I have the little girls do the boys’ part, the little boys do the girls’ part so they understand about lead and follow and what to expect.

“It’s two human beings that are moving to music at the end of the day, you’re judging the talent.

“In the British Championship this year we had two ladies, they did amazingly well. They were accepted and they did the most marvellous job.”

It’s not yet known whether the showmakers are considering a same-sex couple for the show’s 2019 series.