Strictly countdown

No same-sex couples | Male celeb dominate | No partner for Kai

- NICOLA METHVEN

LUCKY for some... Strictly contestant Nick Knowles holds a number one and a number three to show 13 days till the start of the show, which is now confirmed as September 14.

For the first time in four years, there will be no same-sex pairings in the ballroom dance contest and there are nine male competitors to just six females.

The decision to have only male-female pairings for 2024 comes after West End performer Layton Williams, 29, last year reached the final with his pro partner Nikita Kuzmin, 26, the furthest a same-sex partnership had got in the show.

One source said the BBC wanted to be "inclusive and progressive" but some executives felt "not everyone" liked same-sex pairings.