Shirley Ballas backs allowing same-sex couples on Strictly Come Dancing

Shirley Ballas has backed including same-sex couples on Strictly Come Dancing.

Shirley, who joined the show last year, said she’d “embrace” the change.

Speaking at the LGBT awards in London, Shirley told The Sun newspaper: “We had some in the United States — we had some transgender couples, Cher’s son did it.

“It was marvellous. If they were to do that I would embrace it.”

Shirley added: “Whatever choices people make I’ll be fine with.”

Shirley’s fellow judge Craig Revel Horwood previously predicted same sex couples would be seen on Strictly one day.

The Strictly judge thinks it’s only a matter of time before the BBC relaxes its rules on the current mixed gender pairings.

“I think same-sex couples can exist – you only have to decide who’s going to go backwards really, don’t you? That’s the only difference.” Craig said.

Speaking on ITV’s Lorraine, Craig said he hoped to see same sex couples on the show while he was still a judge.

He added: “In the world of competition, you know, there are same sex couples who do it as well so there’s no reason what that can’t happen.

“I just guess the Beeb have to decide whether they want to one year and I think it will probably happen next year.

The BBC previously said there were currently “no plans” to involve same sex pairings on Strictly at the moment.

A spokesperson said: “Strictly has chosen the traditional format of mixed-sex couples and at the moment we have no plans to introduce same-sex couples in the competition.”

Strictly Come Dancing returns to TV later this year.