Gay Athlete Richie Anderson Will Have a Same-Sex Partner on Strictly Come Dancing

Strictly Come Dancing is featuring another set of same-sex partners for its landmark 20th season.

Richie Anderson, best known for playing soccer for the Coombs Wood F.C. and being a morning presenter on BBC Radio 2, has joined the Strictly Come Dancing season 20 cast and will partner up with a male professional dancer. He's following in the footsteps of season 18 stars Nicola Adams and Katya Jones, as well as season 19 runners-up John Whaite and Johannes Rabede.

Anderson announced his Strictly casting with a tweet:

"Can't believe I'm typing this. I'M GOING TO BE ON STRICTLY COME DANCING 2022. My dream has come true. I can't wait to get in the Iconic ballroom. Good luck to my pro partner as my dancing skills have previously been compared to Bambi on ice. Bring it on."

The show has yet to reveal which pro dancer will be partnered up with Anderson, but those announcements are typically saved for a closer date to the season premiere.

Last year, Whaite and Rabede made waves as the first-ever same-sex male couple on Strictly Come Dancing. They got to the very end and competed at the finale against Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice - who were ultimately crowned the winners of season 19.

Besides Anderson, the BBC has already announced two more cast members for season 20 of Strictly: Kym Mash and Will Mellor.

We will absolutely be rooting for Anderson and his partner to do well and dominate the Strictly ballroom this year!

Strictly Come Dancing season 20 premieres September 10 on the BBC.

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