Strictly Come Dancing: BBC announces new same-sex partnership

Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice will become the first same-sex couple to compete in Strictly Come Dancing.

The announcement was made on BBC's The One Show on Wednesday evening.

Ayling-Ellis, who is deaf, said she was "so excited" to be part of the show, and that she hoped her participation would "inspire" others in the deaf community.

Pernice, who has won the show twice before, said he was "honoured" to be partnering with Ayling-Ellis, and that he was looking forward to learning from her.

The news has been met with widespread praise, with many people saying that it is a "step in the right direction" for representation of the LGBTQ+ community on television.

Strictly Come Dancing has been praised for its inclusivity in recent years.

In 2018, the show featured its first same-sex dance, between Graziano Di Prima and Johannes Radebe.

In 2020, the show featured its first all-female partnership, between Nicola Adams and Katya Jones.

The announcement of Ayling-Ellis and Pernice's partnership is seen as another sign of the show's commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Ayling-Ellis and Pernice are expected to be one of the most popular couples on the show this year.

Ayling-Ellis is a talented dancer, and she has a strong following among the deaf community.

Pernice is one of the most experienced dancers on the show, and he has a proven track record of success.

Together, they are expected to be a formidable couple, and they are likely to be one of the favourites to win the show.

The new series of Strictly Come Dancing will begin on BBC One in September.

The full line-up of celebrities and professional dancers will be announced in due course.