Professional boxer and Olympian Nicola Adams is gearing up for her Strictly Come Dancing debut, and we can't wait! Not only is Nicola joining the BBC show, but the athlete is making history by being one half of Strictly's first ever same-sex pairing. Now, the gold-medallist has opened up about the real reasons she wanted to be part of the first all-female partnership.
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Speaking to HELLO! and other press at the virtual Q&A for the upcoming series, Nicola explained: "I didn't see what the big deal would be pairing with another female.
© Photo: BBCNicola is set to be one-half of Strictly's first same-sex pair
"I mean, we go to nightclubs. That's where girls dance with girls all the time, like professional dancers dance with girls all the time. So I don't think it's a big deal."
Nicola continued: "I just wanted to do something different [and] it's really good to be able to show diversity and for the younger generation as well to be able to see somebody from the LGBT community, what they might be as well. So it's nice that for them to be able to think to themselves 'That could be me one day dancing on Strictly.'"
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© Photo: Getty ImagesWe can't wait to see Nicola take to the floor!
On joining the show, the professional boxer explained: "I'm really excited to be joining this year's incredible line-up for Strictly Come Dancing.
"I'm a huge fan of the show and am thrilled to be part of something that holds such a special place in so many people's hearts. People might know me from work in the ring, but I'll be every bit as passionate and dedicated on the dance-floor too.
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"I asked the show about it, they wanted to know if I wanted to be on the show and I said 'Yeah I'll do it, but I want to dance with another female.'
"I wanted to thank the BBC for supporting me and making me the first ever all female-pairing; and it's amazing to be a part of the movement for change, diversity and breaking boundaries in the entertainment industry."
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