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'Dancing On Ice' reportedly to make TV history with H from Steps in first same-sex dance couple

SCARBOROUGH, ENGLAND - JUNE 29: Ian "H" Watkins of Steps performs at Scarborough Open Air Theatre on June 29, 2018 in Scarborough, England. (Photo by Carla Speight/Getty Images)
Ian "H" Watkins of Steps will be part of Dancing On Ice's first same-sex couple. (Getty Images)

Dancing On Ice is reportedly preparing to make reality TV history with the first same-sex dance couple.

Steps singer Ian “H” Watkins and professional skater Matt Evers, both 43, will perform together in the ITV celebrity dance competition when the series returns in January next year.

A source told MailOnline: “After conversations with the Dancing On Ice production team, H enquired as to the possibility of being paired with a male professional skater.

Read more: BBC is 'completely open' to featuring same-sex couples on Strictly

Dancing On Ice were fully supportive of a same-sex partnership and as such this year H will be paired with Matt Evers.”

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 18: Gemma Collins and Matt Evers during a photocall for the new series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink on December 18, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images)
Matt Evers was paired with Gemma Collins on Dancing On Ice in 2018. (Getty Images)

A representative for the TV show said: “We won't be commenting on speculation around the Dancing On Ice pairings until closer to the new series in 2020.”

Welsh singer and actor H came out as gay in 2007 in an interview with The Sun newspaper, confirming he was in a relationship with a man. He and ex-partner Craig Ryder have twin sons, who were born via a surrogate in 2016.

Evers, an American pro skater who has been part of the show since it began in 2006, came out as gay in 2018.

Rival BBC show Strictly Come Dancing has been under rising pressure to feature a same-sex couple over the last few years.

H from Steps in training for Dancing On Ice with Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean (Credit: ITV)
H from Steps trains for Dancing On Ice with Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean. (ITV)

A BBC spokesman said this year it was “proud” to have featured same-sex dancing among the professionals in group performances.

Read more: John Barrowman to replace Jason Gardiner as Dancing On Ice judge

He added: “We are completely open to the prospect of same-sex pairings between celebrities and pro dancers in the future, should the opportunity arise.”

If confirmed, this will be the latest in a series of shake-ups for Dancing On Ice. It was recently confirmed long-time judge Jason Gardiner won't be returning, and will be replaced by John Barrowman. The Torchwood star will join Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean and Ashley Banjo on the judging panel.

Dancing On Ice Class of 2020: Kevin Kilbane, Caprice, Lucrezia Millarini, Ian 'H' Watkins, Perry Kiely, Christopher Dean, Michael Barrymore, Jayne Torvill, Maura Higgins, Joe Swash, Libby Clegg MBE, Trisha Goddard, Lisa George and Ben Hanlin. Credit: ITV
Dancing On Ice class of 2020: Kevin Kilbane, Caprice, Lucrezia Millarini, Ian 'H' Watkins, Perry Kiely, Christopher Dean, Michael Barrymore, Jayne Torvill, Maura Higgins, Joe Swash, Libby Clegg MBE, Trisha Goddard, Lisa George and Ben Hanlin. (ITV)

This year’s celebrity contestants include former game show host Michael Barrymore, chat show queen Trisha Goddard, 61, and Love Island's Maura Higgins.

Other names include TV presenter Joe Swash, magician Ben Hanlin, former footballer Kevin Kilbane and ITV newsreader Lucrezia Millarini. Coronation Street's Lisa George, Paralympic sprinter Libby Clegg and Diversity dancer Perri Kiely will also compete on the ice.