John Whaite, Johannes Radebe, Tom Fletcher and Amy Dowden Images via Instagram @john_whaite @tomfletcher
‘Groundbreaking debut: ‘Strictly’ all-male pairing sets stage on fire [watch]
Well done, boys! John Whaite and Johannes Rabede wowed as the first male same-sex couple on the UK’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ show on Saturday.
John Whaite, Johannes Radebe, Tom Fletcher and Amy Dowden Images via Instagram @john_whaite @tomfletcher
Last week Strictly Come Dancing made headlines when three contestants reportedly refused the COVID-19 vaccine. Now, the competitive dance show is making headlines again for the first performance of the all-male pairing but one of the pairings have tested positive for COVID-19.
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JOHANNES RADEBE AND JOHN WHAITE’S FIRST PERFORMANCE
The first Strictly Come Dancing live show aired on Saturday 25 September and it saw Johannes Radebe and Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite set the stage on fire with their tango to New Order’s Blue Monday.
In a previous interview about his Strictly appearance, Whaite said he hopes to be a role model for the LGBTQI+ youth. He mentioned that gay men receive a lot of hate and accepting it is something one should not do.
Radebe and Whaite did exceptionally well in their performance and were the second-highest scored pairing of the evening. The two also received a standing ovation from judges Oti Mabuse and Shirley Ballas.
‘GROUNDBREAKING DEBUT DANCE’
The two received high praise from Strictly viewers for their performance. British author Steve Chalke noted the performance as another step towards LGBTQI+ equality.
“Strictly’s first male same-sex couple John Whaite, Johannes Radebe and their groundbreaking debut dance.”
Film producer Matthew Ashton wrote: “Amazing performance, well done boys! Way to represent and make a difference – changing the world little by little, one (dance) step at a time!”
‘STRICTLY’ COUPLE TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19
While there was much to write home about after last Saturday’s live show, there were some downs. Singer-songwriter Tom Fletcher and his professional partner Amy Dowden tested positive for COVID-19.
BBC noted that Fletcher and Dowden will, unfortunately, miss this Saturday’s live show as they are in isolation. In a statement, the BBC wrote: “While they will both miss Saturday’s live show, Strictly Come Dancing protocols mean that all being well, they will return the following week.”
