Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean believe the first same-sex couple on ‘Dancing on Ice’ have a huge "responsibility."
The head judges are excited to welcome former Steps bandmember Ian "H" Watkins and pro Matt Evers as the very first same-sex partnership on the show but they know a lot of eyes will be watching them.
Christopher explained: "They have a responsibility as I think a lot of people will be watching them. I’m really fascinated to see how they treat the partnership, and what they do with it."
Torvill and Dean – who won Gold in the 1984 Winter Olympics – are also aware that same-sex couples are unheard of in the figure-skating industry and they hope the ITV show will help to change history.
Jayne added: "They have a responsibility as I think a lot of people will be watching them.
"I’m really fascinated to see how they treat the partnership, and what they do with it."
And fellow ‘Dancing on Ice’ judge Ashley Banjo thinks the Olympic champions should dance with same-sex partners.
The Diversity frontman said: "Maybe Jayne and Christopher will do it. It would be good to see."
The skating competition announced it would be including a same-sex couple on the show when it returns next year with H taking to Twitter to share his excitement.
He tweeted: "’Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything’ NOW LETS DO THIS !!! @dancingonice #dancingonice2020 #dancingonice #samesexdance #samesexpartners #iceicebaby #iceskating #torvillanddean #TeamH (sic)"
H also shared a video of himself practicing on the ice, but admitted his routine needed more work.
He wrote: "TRAGEDY !!! and a few knee slides ( but more bum slides! ) @dancingonice @itv @torvillanddean @officialsteps #dancingonice2020 #dancingonice #iceicebaby #iceskating #TeamH (sic)"
Dancing on Ice judges warn that first same-sex couple ‘have a responsibility’
