Dancing on Ice’s Ian ‘H’ Watkins calls on Strictly to allow same-sex couples

He was part of the first same-sex couple to compete on Dancing on Ice

Ian 'H' Watkins

by Marianna Manson |
Updated on

Ian ‘H’ Watkins has called on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing to allow same-sex couples to compete on the show, after he became one half of the first same-sex pairing on ITV’s Dancing on Ice.

The skating show made history last year when it was announced that H would be dancing with professional skater Matt Evers, and now he’s called on the rival show to take the same progressive steps toward a more inclusive show.

Following his departure from the show on Sunday night’s episode, losing the skate off to magician Ben Hanlin and his professional partner Carlotta Edwards, H made the impassioned plea during his exit interview.

CHECK OUT: Strictly Come Dancing: The biggest scandals in the dancing world

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Strictly Come Dancing: The biggest scandals in the dancing world - SLIDER

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Ola Jordan calls the show a fix

Ola Jordan had been on Strictly since the fourth series in 2006 but in 2015, she quit.In an interview with The Sun, the professional dancer hinted that the show was fixed, "Some of the marking is way off. People are over-marked and under-marked."All the pros talk about the marking. We ask each other, 'What is all that about? Why are they trying to over-mark that person?'."However, a spokesperson for the BBC denied Ola's claims as "nonsense" and said, "Each judge scores each dance independently, based on its merits and on their expert opinion."

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CREDIT: BBC

Dancers in drug scandal

In April 2016 a doctor claimed that he had given enhancing drugs to 150 sport stars – including two Strictly dancers.However, a BBC spokesperson reportedly said, "In the absence of any evidence or further information being presented to us, we will not be commenting."

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Anthony Ogogo calls out Strictly for 'ethnicity' pairing

The professional boxer who was second out of the competition told The Sun, "I didn't think that the BBC would put us [himself and his dance partner Oti Mabuse] together because we're black or mixed race."I honestly thought they would spread the minorities around."

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Jamelia calls the show fake

In 2015 when Jamelia and Peter Andre were in the bottom two, Jamelia was voted off by the judges even though she received a higher score that Peter.After leaving the competition Jamelia claimed that the show was fixed. Appearing on Strictly's spin off show It Takes Two the singer said, "I think we did a great last dance."But it wasn't until they re-recorded Pete's standing ovation, I'd say that was the moment we knew we were going home."

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James Jordan brands the show as bias

Jamelia isn't the only person who thought the show was being bias to Peter, professional dancer James Jordan also tweeted: "I love Peter but I wonder if he will open or close every show? Fairness".Peter left the competition in week 10 – the week after Jamelia's exit.

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Anton Du Beke's racist comment

Back in 2009 the BBC received complaints after Anton said to his dance partner Laila Rousaa, "Oh my God, you look like a P---."This came after he reportedly asked Laila, "You're not a terrorist, as you?" after finding out that her father is Moroccan and her mother is Indian.Anton apologised and explained, "Laila and me have strong personalities and she gives as good as she gets."I must say immediately and categorically that I am not a racist and that I do not use racist language."There was no racist intent. I apologise unreservedly for any offence my actions might have caused."Footballers' Wives star Laila accepted his apology and said, "I'm really enjoying the show and dancing with Anton and hope we can go as far as possible in the competition."

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Bruce Forsyth defends Anton Du Beke's racist comment

Following Anton Du Beke's offensive comment, Bruce Forsyth stepped in and defended his co-star. At the time he said, "We used to have a sense of humour about this. "You go back 25, 30, 40 years and there has always been a bit of humour about the whole thing."However he later backtracked and said in a statement, "To be absolutely clear, the use of racially offensive language is never either funny or acceptable."

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Gemma Atkinson and Simon Rimmer accused of one night stand

In 2017 there were rumours flying around that two contestants had a one night stand. Later on after fans accused Gemma Atkinson and Simon Rimmer of being the culprits, they laughed off the rumours with the chef tweeting, "Gemma is like a daughter to me and has become a friend of all my family. I think it's funny."

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Anastacia doesn't dance but STILL gets through

There was a bit of controversy surrounding Anastacia and Melvin Odoom in 2016 when they both fell into the bottom two.Because the America singer had a scar tissue that rupture she was unable to take part in the dance off which meant Strictly had to turn to the public votes. Unfortunately Melvin received the lowest amount of votes and was sent home but fans were left furious.Anastacia went on to speak about the incident on Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two and said, "I didn't want to have to injure myself but with a Dance Off, you just don't know what to do. "It's all a bit confusing... I totally thought I was going to go. I mean, [Melvin] lives here, I'm an American. Who knows her? "So when they called my name, it just was the worst. I wanted him to go through because I couldn't dance."

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Vick Hope claims the producers were involved in the results

Vick Hope and her dance partner were booted off Strictly Come Dancing 2018 following their dance off with Seann Walsh and Katya Jones. However after leaving the show, she hinted that the judges decision may have been fixed.On her radio show, she explained, "We had to have a dance off as well – it was very strange – so after the dance off, then the judges have to give their decisions."But there was a bit of a conflab with some producers and then they gave their decisions, and it was just stunned silence in the studio, it was a really weird atmosphere."She also said that Shirley Ballas 'relished' in giving her negative feedback. Her comments were pretty harsh to be fair.

Danny John-Jules 'decided not to join us' on It Takes Two exit interview11 of 12
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Danny John-Jules 'decided not to join us' on It Takes Two exit interview

In 2018, Danny John-Jules was repeatedly forced to defend himself after a string of allegations that he had been bullying his dance partner, Amy Dowden – to the point she was often left in tears, and told bosses she couldn't cope. Despite putting on a united front, rumours continued to swell, and when they were booted off the week following the scandal Danny reportedly refused to have anything more to do with the show.Reports were substantiated the next day. Due to appear on spin-off show 'It Takes Two' with Zoe Ball, Danny "decided not to join" dance partner on the sofa for their exit interview, leaving a tearful Amy to do it alone – wishing him only the best, of course.

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CREDIT: Getty Images

Strictly Come Dancing curse

Finally, we can't ignore the fact that the majority of scandals surrounding the BBC One show is because of the alleged Strictly Curse. There's been far too many relationship break ups during or after celebrities take part in Strictly Come Dancing.

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“Strictly, it’s your turn next,” he said into the camera, met with applause from the audience.

To its credit, Strictly hasn’t dismissed the idea of a same-sex couples, previously releasing a statement that said, “Strictly Come Dancing is an inclusive show and we are proud to have featured same-sex dancing amongst the professional dancers in group numbers in previous series.

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“We are completely open to the prospect of including same-sex pairings between our celebrities and professional dancers in the future, should the opportunity arise.”

Dancing on Ice viewers were left thrilled by H’s call to action, with one tweeting, “Well done @Ianhwatkins and @TheMattEvers you did so well and I don’t think it was ever about the competition for you guys it was showing the world what’s right and you did it! And yes #strictly it’s your turn next! #DancingOnIce”.

Another said, “'Strictly, it's your turn next' YES H! WELL SAID! @bbcstrictly Dancing on Ice have set the example with including a same sex couple. There's no reason you can't do the same! #DancingOnIce”.

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