We like what we like. Gay former Olympian Colin Jackson may prefer the company of men romantically. But on the dance floor, he’s all about the ladies.
The Welsh-born hurdler made his debut recently on the popular British reality show, “Dancing on Ice,” partnering with pro-skater Klabera Komini. In an interview with The Sun, Jackson explained why he opted to hit the ice with a female: he prefers it.
“I get on better with women to be honest,” he said. “Me and my dance partner Klabera [Komini] have an absolute blast.”
It’s an amusing line from Jackson, and a reminder that gay men are not monolithic. Last year, Welsh singer and actor Ian “H” Watkins became the first contestant in the show’s history to dance with a same-sex partner.
It was a seminal moment in British reality television. Watkins says the BBC previously turned down his request to have a male partner when he participated in the network’s celebrity gymnastics competition.
Following Watkins’ lead, Olympian Nicola Adams became the first person last fall to dance with a same-sex partner on the popular British show, “Strictly Come Dancing.”
Jackson, a former Olympic silver medalist and two-time World Champion hurdler, came out publicly as gay in 2017. A decade earlier, he denied being gay in a television interview.
Later in the Sun article, Jackson lauded Watkins’ performance, and what it meant for the LGBTQ community. “‘H’ and Matt (Evers) were absolutely brilliant last year. It was fantastic what they did,” he said. “I could have danced with a man on Dancing on Ice. But I didn’t want to.”