Dancing on Ice is set to have its first same sex pairing in 2020

Dancing on Ice is set to have its first same sex pairing.

Steps' Ian 'H' Watkins and professional skater Matt Evers will reportedly be performing together when the series returns next year. Digital Spy report the idea came about when the singer spoke to producers about the possibility soon after signing up for the show. An insider told them:

"After conversations with the Dancing on Ice production team, H enquired as to the possibility of being paired with a male professional skater. "Dancing on Ice were fully supportive of a same-sex partnership and as such this year H will be paired with Matt Evers."

However, a spokesperson for the show said that they would not be "commenting on speculation around the Dancing on Ice pairings until closer to the new series in 2020." Also joining the cast of Dancing on Ice 2020 is Love Island's Maura Higgins; TV presenter Michael Barrymore; Kevin Kilbane; Joe Swash; and ITV newsreader Lucrezia Millarini. Corrie's Lisa George; Diversity's Perri Kiely; Libby Clegg MBE; magician Ben Hanlin; Trisha Goddard and Caprice Bourret also will be taking part in the show. Dancing on Ice will also have a new judging lineup when the show returns in January, after Jason Gardiner quit. He will be replaced by I'm A Celeb's John Barrowman.