Breakfast TV host Richard Arnold could be set to star in a memorable Christmas TV moment after revealing he wants to dance with Gorka Marquez for the Strictly Come Dancing festive special.
The Good Morning Britain showbiz correspondent, 49, has been announced for this year’s Christmas instalment of the BBC One dance show – and it seems he may be in the running to perform as the first same-sex partnership featuring a celebrity on the show.
Pros Johannes Radebe and Graziano di Prima wowed viewers with their all-male routine during last weekend’s programming.
And the 2018 series featured a group routine by the pros with dancers matched up in same-sex pairings for the first time.
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However, the UK version of the show has not included a couple made up of a celebrity and a pro of the same sex before now.
Confirming he would return to the dance floor after previously being the sixth celeb to be eliminated in 2012, Richard chuckled earlier today: “Like the country isn’t on its knees already…”
I’ve pitched for Gorka!
But when asked about whether he might be partnered with a man or a woman, Richard admitted he wasn’t sure.
He said: “Judge Rinder texted me last night and said you should be dancing with a male.
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“And I said I’ve pitched for Gorka!”
Piers Morgan replied: “It would be quite cool. Lead the way.”
Richard responded by joking: “I don’t think I could lead anyone, you’ve seen me dance.”
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“I could do I suppose… we don’t know who our partners are yet,” he continued.
Anticipating there might be resistance from some viewers, Richard added: “Imagine that – Christmas Day, middle England switches off the television…”
Also on board for the Christmas special are Gemma Atkinson, Chizzy Akudolu, Debbie McGee, Joe Sugg and Mark Wright.
– Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One on Saturday at 6.50pm
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