Are any of the Strictly professionals gay? The glitz and glamour of the 2023 edition of Strictly Come Dancing have been captivating audiences since its launch on 16th September, featuring a dazzling performance by the professional dancers alongside judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke.
As the show enters its third elimination round, with Jody Cundy being the latest star to bid farewell, the anticipation and curiosity surrounding the inclusivity of the show are growing.
Many viewers are eager to discover whether any of the professional dancers are gay. In this article, we will delve into the intriguing question of the sexual orientation of the Strictly professionals.
Are Any of The Strictly Professionals Gay?
Over the past three seasons, Strictly Come Dancing has made significant strides in embracing same-sex couples, showcasing the dancefloor talents of remarkable pairs.
Notably, in 2020, we saw the dynamic duo of Katya Jones and Nicola Adams, and in 2021, semi-finalists Johannes Radebe and John Whaite made waves with their fantastic performances.
2022 was no exception, with Jayde Adams and Karen Hauer setting the stage on fire. However, this year, those hoping for multiple same-sex pairings will be disappointed.
Nonetheless, the show has not overlooked LGBTQ+ representation. Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin are taking center stage as the show’s sole same-sex couple, with Layton Williams proudly embracing his identity as an openly gay professional.
Joining them is the remarkable Johannes Radebe, who, while not part of a same-sex pairing this season, remains an openly queer artist.
Radebe’s journey on the show includes being part of Strictly’s first male, and openly gay, same-sex couple in 2021 when he partnered with the talented John Whaite.
Johannes Radebe’s presence on the show carries a powerful message, and his resilience is truly inspiring. He recently opened up about enduring anti-LGBTQ+ abuse during his upbringing in South Africa and even witnessing a homophobic attack on a friend.
In light of these experiences, Radebe’s role as a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ representation in dance is all the more significant.
As for this year’s pairings, Johannes Radebe is now teamed up with presenter and former tennis pro Annabel Croft, who expressed her delight at their partnership, saying,
“I’ve got the best partner I could possibly have wished for, honestly he’s so special… It’s such an honor and a privilege to be dancing with you, thank you.”
Strictly continues to evolve, championing diversity and inclusivity while bringing a celebration of dance and self-expression to audiences across the nation.
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Prominent Strictly Star Craig Revel Horwood Is Also Gay
Craig Revel Horwood has been has been openly gay since 1992. Judge of Strictly Come Dancing, shared that he used to be very prejudiced against LGBTQ+ people and kept his own sexuality a secret for a long time.
Craig Revel Horwood explained that when he was a teenager, he faced bullying and hurtful names from his classmates, like “pansy” and other offensive words related to being gay.
This made him feel like he had to hide his true self and not reveal that he was gay for many years. Craig confessed:
“I was completely homophobic. But when I went to the theatre when I did my first dance class, the people there were lovely, and people started praising me.”
“They were older and accepting, and I loved it… I liked those people, and I knew I didn’t like people at school. I was traumatized at school, but dance released that.”
Revel Horwood, who experienced mistreatment from his alcoholic father while growing up in Australia, also shared that he felt like an outsider during his school years.
“When I was at school, I had very limited friends; I just did not fit in at all… That’s why I went to the dance classes; people were telling me I was good at it, and it was the first thing I’d ever been good at.”