According to the Guardian BBC received 189 complaints regarding the two professional dancers’ routine. Johannes Radebe and Graziano di Prima danced together while serenaded by singer Emeli Sandé.
Discover our latest podcast
Johannes Radebe, an openly gay man exclaimed in an interview with Hello! Magazine that the adventurous and barrier-breaking routine made him feel that “for the first time in my life, I feel accepted for who I am”.
The South African professional dancer continued by commenting on the fact that dancing with his same-sex partner (a straight male), who is in a heterosexual relationship “says so much about the people of this country.”
In a post on Instagram, Radebe shared photos of himself and his partner stating “love knows no boundaries”. To which fans reacted with overwhelming support.
The complaints that the BBC received via their official complaints process say that the viewers of the program found “(found it) offensive to feature to men dancing as a pair”. In response to these complaints, the BBC stated” “Strictly Come Dancing is an inclusive show and is proud to have been able to facilitate the dance between Johannes and Graziano during the Professionals’ dance. They are dancers first and foremost, and their sex had no bearing on their routine.”
How do you feel about the courageous duo?
