Ian H Watkins and his Dancing on Ice partner Matt Evers. (ianhwatkins/ Instagram)
Ian ‘H’ Watkins, who will take part in the first-ever same-sex Dancing on Ice routine, shut down a fan who asked why he couldn’t just dance with a woman.
It was announced in October that the openly gay Steps member would have a same-sex dance partner on Dancing on Ice, beating rival show Strictly Come Dancing.
He reportedly pitched the idea himself after he was cast in the 2020 series and he has now been paired with Dancing on Ice regular Matt Evers.
Watkins has recently been posting snippets of rehearsals on social media, and most Dancing on Ice fans are can’t wait to see the final result.
But one person, whose comment Watkins posted on his Instagram story, wrote: “Sorry I don’t agree with this and I’m not anti-gay, but H was happy to be in a band with women so why can’t he dance with a woman??
“First time ever I’m not looking forward to Dancing on Ice!!”
But Watkins shut down her assumptions, pointing out that this wasn’t the first time he had performed a dance with another man.
He said: “Actually on our Steps tours, I have a MALE dance partner! If watching this on Dancing on Ice hurts you so much, don’t watch.. SIMPLE! #namaste.”
He also recently revealed to ITV that he had been feeling some pressure over the same-sex dance routine.
He said: “I don’t want to be treated any differently to a traditional couple. If we want to dance or skate to a love song then so be it.
“Why not? The world has changed. The reaction that Matt and I have had has been incredible – the outpouring of affection, of love and support – and long may it continue.
“We are doing something that has never been done before, so we are finding our feet. We are learning along the way.”