"Strictly Come Dance UK" hit a milestone for the show when it had a same-sex couple dancing on Sunday.
South African dancer Johannes Radebe and his fellow professional dancer Graziano di Prima performed in a group number and opened the routine with them dancing together during Emeli Sande's performance of "Shine".
Speaking to Hello! magazine Radebe said: "I've never felt so liberated. For the first time in my life, I feel accepted for who I am. That says so much about the people of this country."
Both Radebe and di Prima were overjoyed for being able to break boundaries with regards to queer representation on the show and shared their excitement on their social media platforms.
View this post on Instagram
Love knows no boundaries. 👬🌈@grazianodiprima ❤️
A post shared by Johannes Radebe(@johannesradebe) on Nov 3, 2019 at 11:57am PST
REPRESENTATION always matters!🏳️🌈
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/JohannesRadebe?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@johannesradebe @bbcstrictly pic.twitter.com/RJQnrjhLbl
— Graziano Di Prima (@GrazianoDiPrima)
Fans of the show also only had positive things to say about this historic moment.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/GrazianoDiPrima?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GrazianoDiPrima @jojo_radebe we need more of this. @bbcstrictly #Strictly❤🙌👏👏 pic.twitter.com/gOirtQgQVO
— Shaun🇬🇧 (@ShaunySays_)
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/jojo_radebe?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jojo_radebe @GrazianoDiPrima and @bbcstrictly👏🏻
— Joe McFadden (@mrjoemcfadden)
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/Strictly?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Strictly pic.twitter.com/ARD9XRcgmI
— Dawn L (@dawnage23)
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/Strictly?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Strictly
— evie (@eviemaria_x)
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/Strictly?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Strictly❤🧡💛💚💙💜
Two guys dancing together, quick look out the curtains.. nope the world is still there in one piece.. tomorrow is still Monday..
— Chef Davie🏳️🌈 🍰 🖖 (@ChefDavieUK)
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/Strictly?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Strictly
— abby dixon 🍒 (@abby_dixonn)
While this is the first same-sex couple to dance on the UK version of the show, this is not the first time two men have danced together on the global franchise.
"RuPaul's Drag Race" alumni Courtney Act, real name Shane Jenek, made history on "Dancing With The Stars Australia" as the first same-sex couple to dance together and the first couple where both dancers are male presenting to appear on an English speaking version of the show.
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A post shared by Courtney Act(@courtneyact) on Apr 15, 2019 at 4:25am PDT