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BBC decision to axe LGBTQ+ dating show is two steps back, says contestant
BBC decision to axe LGBTQ+ dating show is two steps back, says contestant
44 minutes ago
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Naomi de Souzaand
Peter Gillibrand,BBC Newsbeat
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Dannii Minogue presented both versions of the BBC Three dating shows
Former contestants of a now-axed BBC LGBTQ+ dating show say they feel “frustrated” and “sad” at the decision to shelve the programme.
I Kissed A Boy first aired on BBC Three in 2023 and made history as the UK’s first gay dating show.
A year later, the show’s production company, Twofour, launched an all-women series, called I Kissed a Girl, before switching back to all-male cast in 2025.
Despite the popularity of the shows, the BBC has confirmed that both versions will end after the next series.
BBC bosses say while they are “exceptionally proud” of the show, they have had to make “difficult choices in light of our funding challenges”.
There are no plans for the show to return after the newest season of I Kissed A Girl airs on BBC Three, the BBC statement added.
"I’m not even shocked at this point,"Jordan Burrow, who appeared in the second series of I Kissed A Boy, tells BBC Newsbeat.
“I just feel like it’s very much an example of where we’re at within the queer community and where we stand with people who are not in the community.”
Hosted by pop star Dannii Minogue, the show saw 10 contestants shacked up in a sun-soaked villa and, as the title suggests, introduced with a kiss.
With no small talk or messages beforehand, contestants on both the men and women’s versions were encouraged to give their new relationships a shot – accompanied with lots of twists and turns.
The couples would take part in regular “kiss offs” where they would then decide if they wanted to seal the deal with their current partner or explore a new connection.
Those who were not kissed would be sent home.
Jordan Burrow says he “made some really good friends” on series two of I Kissed a Boy
“We need that show now more than ever to provide representation, to provide a voice so people can see people that look and act like them on the TV,” says Burrow.
The 27-year-old describes the impact of the show as “groundbreaking” for the community.
“It actually made people really stop and talk about it,” he says.
“All we can ask for in the community is people to speak about things, because while we speak about things we can sort of grind down homophobia.”
Burrow hopes that previous seasons will help others.
“It’s been out there, so people will hopefully be able to look back on it, and as the cast of the show, a lot of us do a lot of campaigning, so I think that in itself, we have to be glad that it happened, it’s just sad that it’s ended,” he adds.
Priya Sohanpal, who appeared on the first season of I Kissed A Girl, says despite feeling hesitant about appearing in the show, it was “one of the best things” she has done.
“I had received so many messages from other queer South Asian women saying how nice it was and how reaffirming it was to see someone like them on television,” the 25-year-old from Newport says.
Sohanpal says it was “frustrating” to hear the show was getting cancelled – and feels the same weight should be given to LGBTQ+ dating shows as it is to straight dating programmes.
“[People] wanted something different and when they got it, it’s now been taken away from them,” she adds.
“It’s sort of like one step forward, two steps back.”
Priya Sohanpal says appearing on the first series of I Kissed A Girl is the “best thing” she did
Minogue thanked the BBC and production company Twofour for allowing her to be part of “such a powerful and important show”.
“I’m so proud that this show has given us the chance to celebrate so many people from the LGBTQ+ community who have made up our wonderful cast,” she added in a statement.
She said the “integrity and intention” of the shows made it the “most special experience” in her almost 40 years of television.
“I can’t wait for you to see the brand new series of I Kissed A Girl, bringing all the excitement and joy that this show represents,” she added.
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here.
I Kissed A Girl: Gay dating show cast on love and friendship
BBC
Newport
LGBT