\'Strictly Come Dancing\' will feature a same-sex couple this year.
The BBC One dance competition is set to finally introduce a same-sex couple after ITV\'s \'Dancing On Ice\' paired Olympic skater Matt Evers with singer Ian \'H\' Watkins earlier this year.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "The plan to introduce a same-sex couple was made after ITV took the plunge.
"Many of \'Strictly\'s stars have called on producers to cast a same-sex couple for the past few years and it\'s been decided this will be the year."
And hunky Johannes Radebe is the favourite to be paired with a male celebrity partner after he reportedly volunteered.
The 33-year-old dancer wowed audiences last year when he partnered with Graziano Di Prima for a routine last year.
The insider said: "Johannes made history with Graziano in the last series by becoming the first same-sex dancers to perform and he\'s made no secret of how keen he\'d be to take on the role.
"None of the dancers have been ruled out of the running but Johannes has been the most vocal about stepping forward and making history again on the series.
"There are several other dancers who have also said they are keen."
Meanwhile, earlier this year Robert Rinder revealed that he was offered the chance to take part in \'Strictly Come Dancing\' with a same-sex partner.
He said: "I was offered next year\'s Christmas special with a same sex dancer.
"I\'d do anything. I\'ve danced on stage with Anton Du Beke for a Grenfell Tower benefit."
And the \'Judge Rinder\' presenter - who competed on the show in 2016 - believes a same-sex pairing on \'Strictly\' will happen in the near future.
He added: "Ultimately a same-sex couple is inevitable."
