H helping John Whaite with his Strictly Steps

6 October 2021

Ian 'H' Watkins offered John Whaite some words of wisdom ahead of his 'Strictly Come Dancing' debut.

Ian 'H' Watkins

The Steps singer lent a hand to the former 'The Great British Bake Off' star, because he has experience of performing in a same-sex pairing on a TV show.

The 45-year-old star - who competed in 'Strictly' rival 'Dancing on Ice' in 2020 and was partnered with Matt Evers, making history as the first same-sex skating couple on the show - is quoted by the Daily Mirror newspaper as saying: “I was prepping him before his first show because I know what that felt like.

"I said ‘The moment you step on that dance floor, you’ve won. It doesn’t matter who wins the trophy ... who has the most beautiful dress, nobody will remember that in 10 years – they’ll always remember [what you achieved].' "

The BBC followed suit by offering a same-sex pairing in the form of boxer Nicola Adams, 38, and Katya Jones, 32, for last year's 'Strictly'.

'Bake Off' winner John, 32, is paired with Johannes Radebe, 32, this year, making them the first all-male pairing in the 17-year history of the BBC favourite.

Prior to his debut on 'Strictly', John said: "I think it'll be a really powerful message as well.

"That's not to say in the future it has to be two gay men, it could be two straight men, but I think for the first one it'll be really important for it to be? Johannes. But I'd be happy to dance with anyone!"