Entertainment
Strictly Come Dancing 2021: Stephen Bailey recalls hiding boyfriend as he praises John Whaite and Johannes Radebe for LGBT+ visibility
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
Stephen Bailey has praised Strictly Come Dancing 2021 stars John Whaite and Johannes Radebe for bringing visibility to same-sex couples as he recalls having to hide being gay as a teenager.
The comedian was speaking on Friday’s episode of It Takes Two when he opened up about his own experience.
John, 32, and Johannes, 34, who are both gay, have made history as Strictly’s first-ever all-male dance partnership.
The pair have been praised by fans for ‘inspiring’ them to come out to their friends and family, and Stephen has now echoed those comments.
It Takes Two presenter Rylan Clark said that their pairing was ‘fantastic for the LGBT community’, adding that their dancing alone was incredible, regardless of their historic partnership.
The comedian agreed, asking Rylan: ‘Remember when you’d go to a friend’s 18th birthday party and the last song comes on and all the straight couples get up and have their little dance?
‘And you’re sat in the corner pretending this isn’t your boyfriend?’
Stephen Bailey recalled having to hide his relationship as a teenager (Picture: BBC)
Rylan addressed the audience after Stephen’s raunchy comment (Picture: BBC)
He added: ‘It’s so important to see this, because maybe I would have got up and danced a little bit more.’
Stephen admitted that he ‘cries every time they come on’, and the dancers have left him ‘a nervous wreck’.
He also joked he ‘gets twitches in little places as they’re so attractive together’, to which Rylan, looking at the camera, remarked: ‘You’re watching BBC Two.’
John and JoJo are among the favourites to win this series of Strictly Come Dancing (Picture: BBC)
Responding, the popular comedian laughed: ‘Thank you to Drag Race, I can now say that.’
John and Johannes remain one of the favourites to win the competition, after being tipped by the bookmakers early on.
More: TV
With the final just days away, the pair will be performing not one but two dances this weekend, starting with their Couples Choice to Adele’s Hometown Glory and a Jive to Higher Power by Coldplay.
Their fiery Pirates of the Carribean Paso Doble has been their best dance to date after the judges scored them 39 out of 40.
Strictly: It Takes Two airs on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Strictly Come Dancing 2021: AJ Odudu jokes Kai Widdrington romance rumours are leaving her DMs ‘dry’
