Strictly Come Dancing to introduce same-sex couples next year?

Craig Revel Horwood thinks \'Strictly Come Dancing\' will introduce same-sex couples next year.

The show judge - who has sat on the panel since the very beginning in 2004 - really hopes that the BBC decide to introduce a new format in the foreseeable future and is convinced that 2018 is the year that viewers will see men paired with other men and women dance with other women.

Speaking on \'Lorraine\' on Monday (11.09.17), he said: "I think same-sex couples can exist, you only have to decide who\'s going to go backwards really, don\'t you. That\'s the only difference.

"I hope so, I really hope so. In the world of competition there are same-sex couples that do it as well so there is no reason why that can\'t happen. It\'s just I guess the Beeb have to decide whether they want to do that one year and I think it\'ll probably happen next year.

"When you consider the tango was originally danced between two men anyway. It\'s amazing - seeing Argentine Tango between two men is powerful and explosive and the same can happen between two women. There\'s nothing wrong, I mean you can get married now can\'t you? It\'s great to celebrate anyone\'s sexuality. And as you say it\'s not just about sex it\'s about dancing."

However, although the BBC have confirmed they haven\'t "completely ruled out" introducing same-sex dance partnerships, they\'re adamant they won\'t be doing so in the near future.

A spokesperson said: "\'Strictly\' has chosen the traditional format of mixed-sex couples and at the moment we have no plans to introduce same-sex couples in the competition.

"\'Strictly\' has chosen the traditional format of mixed-sex couples and at the moment we have no plans to introduce same-sex couples in the competition."