Ireland's 'Dancing with the Stars' set to make show history with two same-sex couples
Dancing with the Stars is set to make TV history with two same-sex couples.
As part of its Switch-Up Week, which sees contestants swap partners for a special episode, the Irish reality show - which boasts a very similar format to BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing - will have former Big Brother star Brian Dowling pair up with Kai Widdrington. The twosome will perform Take That’s Out of Our Heads.
“This is about visibility and starting a conversation. Myself and Kai can now dance on the biggest entertainment show on Irish television, I think that is phenomenal,” Dowling, , said in a statement.
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“Someone always needs to be the first. It has taken a long time to get Ireland here and I’m chuffed that I can be part of that. This is celebrating the fact that two guys can dance together on national television.
“I will be emotional on the night. I’m an out gay man, I’m married, and this is really important to me.”
Elsewhere, RTE radio presenter Lottie Ryan will be boogieing on down to Meghan Trainor’s Woman Up with professional Emily Barker.
“For a primetime family show to be so progressive and inclusive is an honour to be part of,” Ryan gushed. “Emily is someone who I’ve watched on my telly for years admiring, so I can’t wait to share the floor with her.”
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Since the competition kicked off back in January, Dowling has been dancing with Laura Nolan, while Ryan was partnered with Pasquale La Rocca.
Due to Election 2020 coverage, this week’s edition of Dancing with the Stars will air on Saturday 8 February at 6.35pm on RTÉ One.
