John Whaite says ‘people in my life’ told him ‘don’t be too gay’

Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Strictly Come Dancing contestant John Whaite has said that he was advised not to “be too gay” by people close to him. Former Bake Off winner Whaite became the first male Strictly contestant to perform with a same-sex dance partner earlier this year, during the popular reality show’s ongoing 19th series. Whaite said: “I was honoured, of course, because not only had I wanted to do Strictly ever since I saw it when I was a little boy… but also, as soon as I found out, I felt a little bit anxious. “I knew that it was an important thing to do, that it was hopefully going to change the way TV is, change the way that children feel when they watch TV – it’s massive – but I was expecting to get a lot of hate, like sliding into the DMs and saying, ‘you’re disgusting’, and that kind of thing.” Stipulating that he didn’t want to name anyone, Whaite said there were “people in my life” who told him not to be “too gay”.