Incredible scenes.
Dancing With The Stars‘ first ever same-sex performance went down a treat last night as Brian Dowling and Kai Widdrington took to the stage together.
The pair performed a quickstep to Take That’s ‘Out Of Our Heads,’ marking the first time that two dancers of the same sex have performed a routine together on the show.
DWTS judge Brian Redmond said that although Brian’s quickstep needed a little more work, he praised the presenter for being the first man to dance in a same-sex couple.
“I think this is an incredibly brave thing to do – not to go out there and dance with a man that’s normal – it’s brave because you took on the pressure to be the first one to do the that,” he said.
“A little bit more of swing needed, but as a quickstep well done.”
https://twitter.com/Kaiwidd/status/1226263601226362881?s=20
Julian Benson added that the sex of the dancers “didn’t matter” when the performance had been so good.
“It was a loud and proud quickstep my friend,” he said. “I’m actually very proud of you. You made history (…) It was fantastic, it didn’t matter that I was watching two men, I was watching great dancing.”
Brian and Kai scored a total of 23 points from the judges.
The TV presenter later said that he had been incredibly nervous before stepping out on the stage.
“I’ve never been so nervous in all my life,” he said. “[But it’s] so important. I didn’t really think about it until we were on the floor.
“I got really emotional there. It’s shame it took so long.”
A fast, furious and fabulous Quickstep from @brianofficial & @Kaiwidd. Deadly!
23 points!#DWTSIrl pic.twitter.com/yDi8ND2jSh
— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) February 8, 2020
Brian said perviously that he was “chuffed” to be a part of making history on the show.
“This is about visibility and starting a conversation,” he said ahead of the performance.
“Myself and Kai can now dance on the biggest entertainment show on Irish television, I think that is phenomenal.
“Someone always needs to be the first. It has taken a long time to get Ireland here and I’m chuffed that I can be part of that. This is celebrating the fact that two guys can dance together on national television.
“I will be emotional on the night. I’m an out gay man and I’m married, and this is really important to me.”
Also dancing as part of a same-sex couple on last night’s show were Lottie Ryan and her partner Emily Barker.
