Nicola Adams isn’t pulling any punches for those who are criticising Strictly Come Dancing’s first same-sex pairing.
The flyweight boxer, who has won two Olympic gold medals, has broken her silence after BBC bosses revealed they’d already received over 100 complaints about the BBC One programme featuring its first ever same-sex couple.
Now, it appears Adams has hit out at the comments, with the 37-year-old writing on Twitter: “Just when you think 2020 can’t surprise you anymore. Something else happens.”
Addressing the complaints, the BBC said in a statement: “Strictly Come Dancing is an inclusive show and is proud to have featured same sex dancing amongst the professional dancers in group numbers in previous series.
“We have stated, in the past, that we are open to the prospect of including same sex pairings between our celebrities and professional dancers, should the opportunity arise.
“Nicola Adams requested an all-female pairing, which we are happy to facilitate.
"The show is first and foremost about dance, the sex of each partner within a coupling should have no bearing on their routine.”
The news comes just weeks before the show is due to launch, with this season of Strictly being a few weeks shorter than usual due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
Social distancing measures will be in place for the live shows, with a far reduced audience.
Adams’ fellow contestant, Good Morning Britain host Ranvir Singh, has since revealed the stars are yet to start rehearsing for their debut.
“It’s all happening a bit late,” she explained to co-host Susanna Reid. “We can’t – we’ve not met our partner yet.
“I am eating fewer Pringles if that counts towards training, but that’s as far as it got.”
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One in October
