Peter Andre has spoke out to defend same sex partnerships on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing amid trolls backlash.
The TV personality shared his views as the 20th series of the award winning dance show returned to our screens – including not one but two same-sex pairs.
This year's line-up features comedian Jayde Adams partnered up with Karen Hauer, and footballer-turned-TV personality Richie Anderson partnering with last year's winner, Giovanni Pernice hoping to continue his champion status.
Writing in his New column, he praised actor Will Mellor’s performance as "so impressive" before addressing the pairings.
Andre explained: “People have criticised the show for being “too woke”, but I think the same-sex partnerships are great and should have always been there.”
He went on to explain how he feels dance is an ‘art form’ adding: “It shouldn’t matter who’s dancing with who. I don’t know why it makes some people so annoyed.”
He ended his op-ed piece adding: “The anti-woke brigade are overdoing it now and they are very quickly becoming the minority.”
And the 90s music maker wasn’t the only one to shut down criticism as Richie Adams heaped praise on his partner and last year’s winner Giovanni in a glowing Instagram post dismissing rumours their were ‘tensions’ between them.
Taking to Instagram he penned: “Thank you Gio for being the best teacher over the past fortnight. Plenty of feedback from the judges to take on board, can’t wait to get back in the training room.”
Judges praised the radio presenter Richie for his Quickstep, which he performed alongside Pernice to Dancin’ Fool by Barry Manilow.
One viewer took to Twitter to react: "Wow that was pure entertainment. What a pleasant surprise. The hard work paid off. Well done to Richie and Giovanni," while, praising Giovanni's teaching, a second tweeted: "Giovanni once again showing why he's the best teacher and choreographer on #Strictly! Another pro would see Richie only as comedy act... not Giovanni."
But it was a bittersweet journey for Kaye Adams and Kai Widdrington as they bowed out in week two with judges opting to save Tony Adams and Katya Jones.
Strictly Come Dancing returns on October 8 at 6.30pm for Movie Week
