'Strictly Come Dancing' makes show history with first ever same-sex competitive dance
Strictly Come Dancing has welcomed Nicola Adams and Katya Jones to the dancefloor for the show’s first ever same-sex competitive performance.
For years, the question has been asked about whether a same-sex couple could compete, but this year the BBC has finally taken the suggestion to the ballroom with Olympic boxer Adams and her professional dance partner Jones.
YES Nicola and Katya, this makes us HAPPY 😃 #Strictly@NicolaAdamsOBE @Mrs_katjones pic.twitter.com/rh83u0yoOP
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) October 24, 2020
Before their quickstep, Adams talked about how pleased she was to have been matched with Jones, saying: “She’s very creative, she’s very competitive.”
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The pairing was certainly a hit with the judges, with Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood each giving them seven points for a total of 21 out of 30.
Ballas said: “This is a partnership I’m really going to enjoy watching.”
I’m so excited to finally announce my partner @Mrs_katjones I couldn’t have been paired with a better partner than a fellow champ in her own right and I can’t wait to see what creative dance routines Katya comes up with. Are you ready for the first dance!? 😉 #StrictlyComeDancing pic.twitter.com/YIuEDCc5Ad
— Nicola Adams (@NicolaAdamsOBE) October 17, 2020
Revel Horwood said: “They proved it’s absolute dynamite, I absolutely adored that routine. What a fantastic, fantastic partnership.”
Fans of the show were equally impressed by the momentous first for Strictly.
Bit emotional at how bloody normal Nicola and Katya look Dancing together. The times are a changing. #strictly
— Jane Toft 🌿 (@JaneToft) October 24, 2020
YES NICOLA! Making history. Representing LGBT+ people on #Strictly 🏳️🌈
— Jason Reid (@JasonReidUK) October 24, 2020
I don't care what anyone says! That was #Strictly history made! They swapped leads... #Nicola was fab!
— Darren 🏳️🌈 (@Dolly_Darren) October 24, 2020
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Elsewhere in the ballroom, HRVY and his partner Janette Manrara, and Maisie Williams with her partner Gorka Marquez impressed the most and took the top spots on the leaderboard.
Popstar HRVY managed a 9 from Mabuse in his first dance of the series and scored a total of 25 points out of 30, with EastEnders actor Williams not far behind on 24.
Wow. What HRVY lacks in vowels, he makes up for in moves! 🤩 What a way to close the show. #Strictly @HRVY @JManrara pic.twitter.com/YN1PbsQhig
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) October 24, 2020
Caroline Quentin and Bill Bailey also delighted viewers with their routines, while Made in Chelsea’s Jamie Laing opened the show after having had to drop out a year ago with an injury sustained in the launch show.
But it wasn’t just his dancing that got viewers talking, as everyone noticed a striking similarity between him, his dance partner Karen Hauer, and dialling in judge Bruno Tonioli.
So Bruno, Karen and Jamie are ALL doing Eminem's hair. #Strictly
— Jackie Leonard (@JackieLeonard01) October 24, 2020
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 7.15pm on BBC One.