Strictly Come Dancing bosses have said they are “completely open” to the idea of having same-sex dance couples on this year’s show and former head judge Len Goodman has weighed in on the debate.

There has been a mixed reaction to this, most recently DUP MLA Jim Wells was called a “bigoted old dinosaur” by Piers Morgan for saying he wouldn’t tune in for fear of seeing a same-sex dance routine.

Now, ex-head judge Len Goodman has said that he doesn’t support same-sex dancers competing on Strictly because he’s an “old traditionalist”.

Goodman told The Sun: “I’ve judged what they used to call ‘pink competitions’ with ladies dancing together, and a load of guys.

“They were of a very high standard, terrific dancing actually. Somehow while you were judging it, you didn’t even notice.

“It wasn’t that one of the men was dressed in a frock or anything, it was done in a very tasteful way. So if it’s done in that way I think it would be OK.

“But that doesn’t change the fact I’m an old traditionalist.”

He went on to say that he would have sympathy for viewers who might not like the same-sex dancing, comparing same-sex couples to “outlandish” dance moves adding that he believes people will stop watching the show.

“The thing is, it’s so difficult to please everyone,” he said. “What I’m used to is traditional ballroom and Latin dancing.

“When I was judging on Strictly, if somebody did some outlandish movement I didn’t like it.

“I like it as it was, but everything moves on. If they do it, there’ll be people saying, ‘I’m not going to watch it any more.’

“And if they don’t do it, there’ll be people saying, ‘Well, you’re homophobic.’ They can’t win.”

Asked if he had sympathy for the people who may not want to watch the same-sex dancers on the show, he said: “Yes, because I’m one of those older people myself.”