Contestants React to BBC's Cancellation of LGBTQ+ Dating Show
Former contestants of the BBC's LGBTQ+ dating show have expressed feelings of frustration and sadness following the broadcaster's decision to discontinue the programme.
I Kissed A Boy first premiered on BBC Three in 2023, marking a milestone as the UK's first gay dating show.
In 2024, the production company Twofour introduced an all-women edition titled I Kissed A Girl, before planning to return to an all-male cast in 2025.
Despite the shows' popularity, the BBC has confirmed that both versions will conclude after the upcoming series.
BBC executives stated they are "exceptionally proud" of the show but have had to make "difficult choices in light of our funding challenges." The broadcaster also confirmed there are no plans to revive the show following the final season of I Kissed A Girl on BBC Three.
Contestant Perspectives
"I'm not even shocked at this point,"said Jordan Burrow, a participant in the second series of I Kissed A Boy, in an interview with beat.
"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 featured 10 contestants living together in a sun-drenched villa. As the title suggests, introductions were made with a kiss rather than conversation.
Contestants on both the male and female versions were encouraged to explore new relationships without prior messages or small talk, navigating various twists and turns throughout the series.
The format included regular "kiss offs," where couples decided whether to continue their relationship or pursue new connections. Contestants who were not kissed were eliminated from the show.
"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,"Burrow emphasized.
The 27-year-old described the show's impact as "groundbreaking" for the LGBTQ+ community.
"It actually made people really stop and talk about it,"he said.
"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 expressed hope that previous seasons will continue to support 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 added.
Priya Sohanpal, who appeared on the first season of I Kissed A Girl, shared that despite initial hesitation about participating, 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 told Newsbeat.
Sohanpal described the cancellation as "frustrating" and believes LGBTQ+ dating shows should be valued equally to heterosexual dating programmes.
"[People] wanted something different and when they got it, it's now been taken away from them,"she said.
"It's sort of like one step forward, two steps back."
Host's Statement
Dannii Minogue expressed gratitude to the BBC and production company Twofour for the opportunity 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 stated.
Minogue highlighted the "integrity and intention" behind the shows, calling it the "most special experience" in her nearly 40-year television career.
"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.
Additional Information
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