Strictly Come Dancing: Chorley Bake Off winner John Whaite talks being a role model in same-sex partnership

The former Great British Bake Off winner follows in the footsteps of boxer Nicola Adams, who last year danced in the first same-sex partnership with professional Katya Jones.

The Chorley-born 32-year-old said the reaction to him being in the first all-male partnership on the dancing competition has been “so positive” and hopes it will “break down that notion of toxic masculinity”.

He said of his partnership with Johannes Radebe: “The reaction has been so positive.

“Because I’m doing the first all-male partnership, I genuinely did think that I was going to receive a fair bit of hate because you do as a gay man, you get a lot of hate.

“You grow up and learn to deal with it, you shouldn’t have to, but we do.

“When I was talking to Matt Lucas on the Radio 2 Breakfast show, I realised how important a step forward this is.

“Little kids who watch the show, to have same-sex role models will give them a little bit of hope for the future and it won’t make them grow up with the same shame that I grew up with and Matt Lucas grew up with.

“But also it’s not just about queer people, it’s about everyone, straight or gay.

“I hope that this is going to break down that notion of toxic masculinity, especially in Britain.

“If you look at Europe, people are much more intimate with each other.”

The TV baker said he did initially worry about the added pressure of the role but he now thinks “it’s only about the dancing”.

He added: “The message that I’m conveying to queer people around the world is my message, but I convey that if I do an Instagram post, if I get up and make the bed, I do that as a proud gay person.

“But for me, the show is only about the dancing and I want people to vote for me if they think I’m good, not because I’m in a male-male relationship.”

Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 per month for the first two months. Try us today by clicking HERE