Fans have been calling for Strictly Come Dancing to incorporate same-sex pairings into the line-up, and since Phillip Schofield's news in February this year, he could be the perfect man for the job.
Former Strictly dancer AJ Pritchard agrees, saying he’d “love” to see Phil, 58, on the show with a male professional partner.
“I think Philip Schofield would be great on Strictly. He got up on This Morning once with Holly [Willoughby] and did a bit of a boogie and he can dance, and he is entertaining, and he is such a nice guy. To see him learn and put him under a bit of pressure would always be funny, I’m sure.”
Speaking to The Sun, AJ, 25, went on, “It would be great if he was part of the first same sex couple on Strictly- I would love to see that.”
AJ was part of Strictly Come Dancing’s first ever same-sex routine last year, when he performed with dance partner Gorka Marquez during an opening segment for the results show.
Take a look at the rumoured line-up for Strictly 2020
Strictly Come Dancing 2020 rumoured celebs
1 of 13Phillip Schofield
This Morning host Phillip Schofield was reportedly top of bosses' wish list and is said to have been offered a big money deal to be part of the show's first ever same-sex pairing after coming out as gay earlier this year.A representative for Schofe denied he was in talks for the show but will a few months left until Strictly hits our screens, could he be persuaded to sign up?
2 of 13Scarlett Moffatt
The former Gogglebox star sent the rumour mill into overdrive last month when asked about appearing on Strictly during an appearance on Lorraine.Instead of confirming or denying the rumours, Scarlett coyly remarked, "I love Strictly!" Watch this space...
3 of 13Maya Jama
Strictly bosses are reportedly prepared to splash some serious cash to sign up the former Radio 1 DJ as it's been claimed she was offered a six-figure fee.Maya, who split from Stormzy in August last year, seems keen too as she told fans, "On it if they add a dancehall section!"
4 of 13Michelle Keegan
Could Michelle Keegan follow in the footsteps of her husband Mark Wright and take to the famous dancefloor? She's said to be one of producers' top picks but a source told The Sun that the former Coronation Street and Our Girl star would prefer to focus on her acting career.
5 of 13Iain Stirling
After ending their rumoured reality star 'ban' last year, bosses are reportedly in talks to sign up Love Island narrator and all round funnyman Iain Stirling.Could he fare better than girlfriend Laura Whitmore who finished in ninth place in 2015?
6 of 13Katie Price
A representative for Katie confirmed that she was interested in appearing on Strictly earlier this year amid reports she was in discussions with bosses.We probably won't see her on the show this year though as she broke both her ankles in a nasty accident last month.
7 of 13Alan Carr
The comedian let slip that Strictly bosses have been trying to sign him up for years during an appearance on Loose Women last year and teased, "I will do it, but next year, I've got a busy year."So, is this the year we'll finally see Alan compete for the Glitterball trophy.
8 of 13Lorraine Kelly
Lorraine was rumoured for a place on this year's Strictly after a clip of her dancing was shown on This Morning. Good Morning Britain hosts Kate Garraway and Ben Shepherd also dropped a major hint about her taking but the 60-year-old appeared to put the rumours to bed in her HELLO! magazine column.
9 of 13Mark Feehily
Westlife's Mark Feehily is another celeb who is reportedly being considered for Strictly's first-ever same-sex pairing.
10 of 13Stacey Solomon
Loose Women and Celebrity Gogglebox star Stacey has admitted she would love to take part in Strictly.She told Good Housekeeping, "I love the show, I love the outfits, the routines, and how the contestants go from one to 1,000. But I would be the one that didn't get it… Everybody would expect me to go on this journey, but I would be persistently the same after 10 weeks! I would just stay the same!"
11 of 13Jack P Shepherd
The Corrie actor sparked Strictly rumours earlier this year when his girlfriend Hanni Treweek asked her followers about ballroom dancing classes in Manchester.Hmm, trying to get some extra practice in are we, Jack?
12 of 13Huw Edwards
The legendary BBC newsreader was reportedly set to take part in the 2019 series of Strictly when he had to pull out to focus on the General Election.Will he pick up where he left off and appear on the show this year?
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13 of 13Molly-Mae Hague
Strictly bosses have been keen to appeal to a younger audience in recent years and after ending their alleged reality star ban, Love Island's Molly-Mae Hague has been tipped to appear on the show.
Speaking of his experience with Gay Times he said, “It’s very powerful to see two guys creating a strong impact… it’s about creating art on a floor. Sometimes it’s more powerful to see that than watching a guy and a girl dance.”
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While AJ has leant his support to Strictly following in [Dancing on Ice](https://closeronline.co.uk/entertainment/tv-movies/dancing-ice-lineup/-lineup/)’s shoes and introducing same-sex dance partners, he admitted that some of his former co-stars may be reluctant to pair up with a member of the same sex.
He explained, “I know certain pro dancers would like to dance with a woman because that is what tradition is, and it kind of makes sense but it is very much down to someone’s personal opinion of what ballroom and Latin dancing actually is.”