(Quick)Step Towards Inclusion

Laura Nicholson reports on how Strictly Come Dancing has brought new audiences to dance. She speaks with 2021 champion Giovanni Pernice about how the show, with groundbreaking representation on primetime, has shown the nation how brilliantly diverse and inclusive dance should be.

Since Strictly Come Dancing first hit our television screens in 2004 it’s become difficult to imagine an autumn without the glitterball sparkle, glamour and music. With 11 million people tuning in to watch the 2021 final, it is fair to say that last year’s series of the flagship BBC primetime show certainly made a splash.

For a ‘light entertainment’ show seemingly embedded in glitz and glamour, 'Strictly' has developed a reputation for charting new territory – not least when in 2014 Claudia Winkleman joined Tess Daly to form the long-overdue first female pairing to front a primetime Saturday night TV show.

It is perhaps surprising, then, that it took until 2017 for a disabled contestant to be included in the 'Strictly' line up, with Paralympian and amputee Jonnie Peacock openly expressing his desire to normalise disability and break down barriers through his inclusion in the hit show. Since that pivotal moment, 'Strictly' has seen disabled participants included in each series.

At One Dance UK, we firmly believe in the ability of dance to transform lives, so it is no surprise to hear 'Strictly' contestants talk passionately about all they have gained through taking part in the show. More than ever though, the class of 2021 seem to have captured the public’s imagination about the transformative power and significance of dance.

TV presenter and radio host AJ Odudu has spoken candidly about how she wanted to dance when she was younger but her family simply couldn’t afford it. After dazzling week after week, one can only imagine where dance might have taken AJ had she been able to access dance education as a child.

Following the previous year’s inclusion of the first same sex pairing of boxer Nicola Adams and professional Katya Jones, we cannot underestimate the impact on the viewing audience of seeing the first same-sex male coupling of TV chef John Whaite and dancer Johannes Radebe. With same sex pairings in several of the professional dance numbers, LGBTQ+ lives were represented on primetime television in groundbreaking ways.

The emotional 2021 final concluded, of course, with the show’s first ever deaf contestant Rose Ayling-Ellis being crowned 'Strictly' champion, alongside her professional partner Giovanni Pernice. Rose’s involvement brought so much positive change, including with British Sign Language (BSL) being used as part of the live shows – and more recently the live tour too – leading to a huge surge in the number of people choosing to learn BSL. The moment when Rose and Giovanni’s ‘Couple’s Choice’ dance fell silent as they continued to perform will no doubt stay in the minds of many for its power, beauty and simplicity.

Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice on the 'Strictly Come Dancing' Live Tour 2022

Here we speak to Giovanni about his perspective on Strictly Come Dancing 2021.

What role do you think TV shows like Strictly Come Dancing can play in breaking down barriers and perceptions about who can dance? What other changes would you like to see in the dance world to allow greater inclusion and access for disabled people?

Giovanni: 'Strictly' plays a HUGE role! It’s the biggest entertainment show on TV and the power it has is extraordinary. And not just in our situation, look at what John and Johannes did for the LGBTQ+ community, proudly representing on such a wonderful, mainstream television show.

Dancing is joyful, and we must bring that joy to everyone. The power to reach millions of British people in their living rooms should never be underestimated and it is a vehicle for positive change.

As adults, we need to lead by example to children, so that in 10 or 15 years’ time, the professionals are truly representative of society. Every industry - dance and elsewhere - can always do more, but I do believe things are moving in the right direction.

Giovanni Pernice

Photo Joseph Sinclair

Your journey with Rose through 'Strictly' – and your well-deserved win – has been an incredible inspiration to so many in the deaf community and beyond. What have you learned about yourself as a person and a dancer through this experience?

Thank you so much! The experience of getting to know and dancing with Rose changed my life.

Rose is a wonderful dancer and wonderful person. Her dedication to inclusivity has genuinely changed the landscape for the deaf community forever in this country. You only need to look at the news coverage, the amount of people now using sign language, and the fact she’s trying to change the law for it to become an official language.

Rose has opened my eyes to another world. I have always been a very accepting person by nature, but she’s shown me her light, and her vision. Just being around her makes you a better person. She walks into a room, and lights it up.

The reality of dancing and teaching within this situation has also given me more natural communication skills. I love to teach, and I am always happy to be patient, but this was an added layer.

“I have to say I relished the learning experience and became a better dancer and better person because of the 2021 series.”

Giovanni Pernice

At One Dance UK we believe that dance should be for everyone! Your passion and love for dance shines through – so why would you encourage others to get involved in dance?

Dance has changed my life. I left my home in Sicily when I was 14 years old because I loved it so much and knew at a young age that it is all I wanted to do. Dance is a physical act of course, and based in movement, but the reality is that it’s the way dance makes you feel, and makes other people feel, that is so special.

It has the capacity to lift people, change lives and entertain. What an amazing thing!

Further information

Strictly Come Dancing’s website: www.bbc.in/3JIH3Mx

Giovanni Pernice is on tour with This is Me until May 2022. He then tours with Anton du Beke in Him and Me from June 2022. Information and book: www.giovannipernice.com

For more information on One Dance UK’s new Considering Difference resource, go to www.onedanceuk.org