[Pete.]

An expert from the BBC show 'Eggheads' claims he was rejected by Strictly Come Dancing because he wanted a same-sex partner.

CJ de Mooi, who is gay, says they opted for the show's host, Jeremy Vine, instead because of his request.

He says his manager had approached the show's producers and they were considering him.

"I thought, as it's now 2015, it's time this format in Britain had a same-sex couple," he told Radio 1's Newsbeat.

CJ de Mooi, who is one of five quiz champions on Eggheads, is also angry about a BBC statement in response to his claims reportedly stating: "Strictly is a family show and we have chosen the traditional format of mixed-sex couples."

He says Strictly bosses are behind the times and believes the fact he wasn't chosen is directly because he wanted to dance with a man.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/articl...me-sex-partner