Dannii Minogue says she 'identifies as queer' as she launches new BBC dating show

Dannii Minogue claimed that she “identifies as queer in a weird way” as she launched the new BBC3 gay dating show I Kissed a Girl. The former X Factor judge said it was her job to "drop bombs and swan off" during the upcoming series, which she hopes will spark "parties up and down the country".

She said it was "surreal” that there hadn’t been a dating series for lesbian and bisexual women in the UK until 2024 but said it was "so important". The singer, who had a hit with I Begin To Wonder, added: "It's like we need this to happen. I'm hoping that there are parties up and down the country.”

Viewers will see 10 single girls, aged between 22 and 28, matched into pairs by the show’s researcher. They will then have a lingering kiss next to the pool - before they have even spoken a word - then explore whether they have chemistry. Those who fail to find a spark will be able to look for romance among the other contestants, and five more women will be brought in along the way.

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The Mirror reports that at a launch for the series , 52-year-old Danni was commended for getting to grips with the lingo used to describe different types of gay women, including “femme”, “stem” and “masc”. The publication reports that she declared: “I identify as queer, in a weird way.”

In the first episode, contestant Amy, from Surrey, reveals the Aussie host was 'just their type' - with the majority of the group also making it clear they found Dannii attractive. When asked for her feelings on the women, the star, who has dated musician Adrian Newman for the past decade, laughed as she said: “You girls are hot. You know it. I love it. I'm here for it. Is that an answer?”

Dannii said she'd love the ground-breaking show to get another series, adding: “I want this to go well, obviously. Everybody's put everything on the line. I hope there are more series of this show, and more girls get the opportunity to have this experience.” She choked up as she added: “You girls are so brave and amazing and have brought so much to it. I could never do what you have done. I will always be in awe of what has happened and what we've created. I feel so proud. You're stepping forward, and you're the first crew of girls representing in this space, and it is big.”

The former Home and Away actress said she hoped the 10-episode run would be watched by a broad audience - including those who are heterosexual. She continued: “There's a curiosity, right? Whether you are a lesbian or not. Who's going to be in the casting? Who's going to be paired with who? What are they like? Will they represent me? Do I see myself? A million questions and guess what? The straights have the same million questions. The best thing that can happen to this show is that everyone watches it, and everyone has questions. Everyone learns something. Everyone moves forward.”

Dannii admitted that while she was the host of the dating show, she didn’t get to play Cupid very much. “I don't get to do a lot. I think I just drop bombs - and then swan off and try not to trip over my dress,” she said. I Kissed a Girl airs Sundays on BBC3 at 9pm.