Strictly Come Dancing fans have slammed the BBC as ‘taking a step backwards’ after they ditched same-sex couples for the upcoming series. 

The dancing show returned to screens on Saturday for its 20th anniversary series – after a year marred by abuse allegations.

But for the first time in five years there will be no same-sex couples on the line-up – after the BBC decided to ‘return to traditional roots’ to appease viewers amid the controversy. The corporation claimed ‘not everyone is going to like’ same-sex pairings.

The choice upset dedicated fans, who were left feeling ‘massively disappointed’ and ‘uncomfortable’ that the BBC had ‘taken a step backwards’.

They were also left confused by the choice to remove same sex couples as a result of the headline-making scandals – despite ‘not one of the accusers or the people being accused being in a same sex pairing’.

MailOnline approached the BBC for comment.

Professionals Johannes Radebe and Graziano di Prima made history when they became the first same-sex couple to dance together on the show in 2019.

The one-off performance attracted 189 complaints, but executives said the gender of contestants should have ‘no bearing’ on their dancing.

After the launch show, where this year’s celebrities were paired up, fans took to social media to share their disappointment.

They wrote on X, formerly Twitter: ”I really loved the launch show but I can’t help feeling sad about the lack of same sex pairings, even in the group dances. It really does feel like #Strictly has taken a step backwards and I do feel uncomfortable about it,’;

‘On the whole, the pairings are fine, but having no same-sex pairings (even if it was because of a drop out) and benching Kai and Carlos feels like the producers pouring fuel on the fire,’;

‘Massively disappointed by the lack of a a same sex couple in this year’s @bbcstrictly. Inclusion and representation is so important,’;

‘So strictly, 2024, no same sex couples, yeah, because they were the problem, right. So disappointed,’;

‘Also no same sex partners this year???? RUDE,’; ‘Shame they’ve gone all the way back to the Status Quo with no Same Sex coupling this year,’;

‘The reasoning being down to the accusations is pathetic. Not one of the accusers or the people being accused was in a same sex pairing,’;

‘Yeah, because the scandals have originated from the same sex couples! The same sex couples brought something new to the show. I was on the fence whether to watch the new series, this confirms that I’m done and I think #strictly is if they do this,’;

‘As excited as I am about the return of #Strictly, this news that they will no longer have same sex couples as they want to “return to traditional roots” is terribly sad! I don’t think same sex couples caused the scandals in the rehearsal rooms some how!’;

‘Very strange & antiquated decision by the show, it wasn’t the same sex partnerships that caused the rifts in the training rooms. Hope this isn’t the beginning of the end of #Strictly However, imo it reached its zenith last season, with Lakita, and I won’t be watching as much.’

Producers took the decision earlier this month, it is believed, with some insiders suggesting it was a way of returning the hit BBC1 show to its traditional roots following a series of high-profile scandals.

One source said that while the broadcaster wants to be seen as ‘inclusive and progressive’ executives are aware that ‘not everyone is going to like’ same-sex pairings.

Their decision comes despite the all-male duo of Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin making it to the final last year.

In 2020, ex-boxer Nicola Adams and professional dancer Katya Jones became the first same-sex couple to compete, but had to pull out in week four after Ms Jones tested positive for Covid.

In 2021, Johannes and celebrity chef John Whaite became the first same-sex duo to reach the finals.

And the following year, comedian Jayde Adams was paired with Karen Hauer, but were eliminated in week five.