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Anton du Beke open to dancing in same-sex pairing on 'Strictly': 'It doesn't mean anything'

Amy Johnson
·Contributor
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Anton du Beke attends The Dream Ball in aid of The Prince's Trust and Big Change at Lancaster House on July 7, 2016 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Annesley Abercorn - The Dream Ball)
Anton du Beke has no qualms with dancing with a male partner. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Annesley Abercorn - The Dream Ball)

Strictly Come Dancing stalwart Anton Du Beke has divulged he would be happy to dance with either a man or a woman on the BBC show.

His comments come after the BBC said earlier this year that while there were "no plans" for same-sex pairings on the show, they are "completely open" to the possibility.

"In regards to whether we will be asking for a same-sex partner, that's not for us to decide," the 53-year-old told Radio Times. “Regarding whether we have any comfort with the same sex thing, to us as professionals, it doesn’t mean anything. This is not a thing for us, because we just dance.

Read more: Ian ‘H’ Watkins opens up about his same-sex pairing on Dancing On Ice

“Some of my best dances have been with men. I once danced with a guy called Gary Agers from the Royal Ballet, he’s a beauty. We did a number in a show and my wife was in the audience. She still says to this day that it was one of the best numbers that I’ve ever done.”

Anton du Beke and Emma Barton arrive for the Strictly Come Dancing grand final press conference at White City House in London. (Photo by Kirsty O'Connor/PA Images via Getty Images)
Anton du Beke and Emma Barton have made it to the 'Strictly' final. (Photo by Kirsty O'Connor/PA Images via Getty Images)

It also comes after Dancing On Ice, which is set to start in January, will have its first same-sex couple as Steps member Ian ‘H’ Watkins has been partnered with professional skater Matt Evers.

This year saw male Strictly professionals Johannes Radebe and Graziano Di Primo perform together in a routine that prompted complaints to Ofcom.

In its own response to the backlash, the BBC issued a statement that read: “Strictly Come Dancing is an inclusive show and is proud to have been able to facilitate the dance between Johannes and Graziano during the Professionals’ dance. They are dancers first and foremost, and their sex had no bearing on their routine.”

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 21: Johannes Radebe and Graziano di Prima attend the GAY TIMES Honours 500 at Magazine London on November 21, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage for GAY TIMES)
Professionals Johannes Radebe and Graziano di Prima danced together on 'Strictly' (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage for GAY TIMES)

Meanwhile, Du Beke has made it into the Strictly final for only the second time in his 17-year career on the programme.

He's currently partnered with EastEnders star Emma Barton, with the pair set to compete in tonight's final.

They face competition from TV presenter Karim Zeroual and his partner Amy Dowden as well as Emmerdale's Kelvin Fletcher and dancer Oti Mabuse.