Ian ‘H’ Watkins has confirmed he is part of the first-ever same-sex couple on ‘Dancing on Ice’.
The Steps singer has taken to Twitter to reveal he will be in a same-sex partnership, which will make TV history when the show returns in the new year, and admitted "progress" and "change" are important in life.
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 referred to Steps hit song ‘Tragedy’ about his performance.
He wrote: "TRAGEDY !!! and a few knee slides ( but more bum slides! ) @dancingonice @itv @torvillanddean @officialsteps #dancingonice2020 #dancingonice #iceicebaby #iceskating #TeamH (sic)"
H’s confirmation comes after it was reported he would be partnered with Matt Evers – who has been skating on the show since it began in 2006 – on the new ‘Dancing on Ice’ series.
A source said this week: "After conversations with the ‘Dancing on Ice’ production team, H enquired as to the possibility of being paired with a male pro skater.
"Bosses at ‘Dancing on Ice’ are fully supportive of a same-sex partnership, so this year H will be paired with Matt.
"It’s a huge moment in TV history. A lot of viewers will be watching and the hope is it might set a trend."
This comes after rival dancing show ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ – which airs on BBC One – said it was "proud" to have featured same-sex pairs during the professional group numbers, and hinted it could allow same-sex competitor pairs in the future.
A BBC spokesman said this year: "We are completely open to the prospect of same-sex pairings between celebrities and pro dancers in the future, should the opportunity arise."
Ian ‘H’ Watkins confirms he is part of Dancing on Ice same-sex partnership
