Strictly's Shirley Ballas: Johannes Radebe and Graziano Di Prima's same-sex dance will be 'magnificent'

The professionals will make history this weekend 
BBC/Getty
Isobel Frodsham29 October 2019
The Weekender

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Shirley Ballas has said Johannes Radebe and Graziano Di Prima's same-sex performance on Strictly Come Dancing will bring viewers to tears.

The head judge, 59, revealed she has seen the duo's rehearsals and described their routine as “the most magnificent thing.”

Close friends Radebe, 32, and Di Prima, 25, will make history by performing together during Sunday night's results show.

Ballas told the Standard Online: “Have your tissues. It’s the most magnificent thing I witnessed in rehearsals.

The last dance: Catherine and Johannes exited the competition after losing the dance off (BBC Pictures)
BBC

“Johannes brings just such a wonderful joy of dance and Graziano just envelopes the whole experience. So it truly is something that will melt your heart for sure. [It is] 100% something that people have to look forward to.”

Di Prima, who has not been paired with a celebrity this year, said he was “lucky” to have been chosen to take part in the routine.

“It’s so much fun – you’ll see it,” he said. “It really is the best feeling ever because we are really close friends, he’s going to be my best man at my wedding in July.

“I’m so happy for this opportunity. I’m so lucky that they chose me and him together.”

Their dance marks the first time a same sex pair will be performing an individual routine on the show.

Last year, the pros won praise for their group dance to Imagine Dragons’ Believer, which saw the dancers split off into same-sex couples during the routine.

In a previous statement, the BBC has said they would be open to celebrities being paired with pros of the same sex in future series.

Pride of Britain Awards Red Carpet - In Pictures

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The statement read: “Strictly Come Dancing is an inclusive show and we are proud to have featured same sex dancing amongst the professional dancers in group numbers in previous series.

“We are completely open to the prospect of including same sex pairings between our celebrities and professional dancers in the future, should the opportunity arise."

Ballas and Di Prima were speaking at the Pride Of Britain awards.

The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, in partnership with TSB, will be broadcast on ITV on Tuesday November 5 at 8pm.

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