Strictly Come Dancing will reportedly feature same-sex professional pairings for the first time in its 14-year history.

Long-time Strictly participant Pasha Kovalev is said to be partnering with AJ Pritchard for some of this year’s routines with Karen Clifton expected to dance with a female partner for several dances throughout the forthcoming series.

Despite this, the BBC competition will be sticking with mixed pairings for the celebrities.

A source told The Sun: “Some of the dancers have been rehearsing some same-sex pairings with plans to introduce them to a few of the professional numbers. There have been a lot of calls for same-sex pro and celebrity pairings on the show so this is an ideal way to integrate into the format.”

The BBC has since responded to the reports, saying: “This is not unprecedented. Every week some of the world’s top choreographers create stunning routines that showcase the skills of our pro dancers. They can cast and direct the dances however they think best tells the story.”

Judges Craig Revel Horwood and Shirley Ballas have long supported the idea of same-sex couples. However, it was revealed last month that one of this year’s celebrity contestants – Dr Ranj Singh – was denied the opportunity to dance with a male professional after appealing the idea to producers.

Strictly Come Dancing 2018 lineup Show all 25 1 /25 Strictly Come Dancing 2018 lineup Strictly Come Dancing 2018 lineup Stacey Dooley TV presenter and journalist Getty Strictly Come Dancing 2018 lineup Lee Ryan Boy band singer from Blue Getty Strictly Come Dancing 2018 lineup Vick Hope DJ and digital reporter Getty Strictly Come Dancing 2018 lineup Charles Venn Actor, his most notable role in Casualty as nurse Jacob Masters Getty Strictly Come Dancing 2018 lineup Katie Piper TV presenter and campaigner Getty Strictly Come Dancing 2018 lineup Dr Ranj Singh Doctor, television presenter, author and columnist Getty Strictly Come Dancing 2018 lineup Susannah Constantine TV stylist Getty Strictly Come Dancing 2018 lineup Graeme Swann Ex-England cricketer and sports presenter Getty Strictly Come Dancing 2018 lineup Ashley Roberts Former Pussycat Dolls singer and presenter Getty Strictly Come Dancing 2018 lineup Danny John-Jules Red Dwarf star Getty Strictly Come Dancing 2018 lineup Faye Tozer Steps band member Getty Strictly Come Dancing 2018 lineup Seann Walsh Comedian Getty Strictly Come Dancing 2018 lineup Lauren Steadman Paratriathlete who is a double world champion, six times European champion and silver medalist from the Rio Paralympic games Getty Strictly Come Dancing 2018 lineup Joe Suggs Social media star Getty Strictly Come Dancing 2018 lineup Kate Silverton BBC News presenter Getty Strictly Come Dancing 2018 lineup The full lineup LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: (L-R) Ashley Roberts, Dr Ranj Singh and Stacey Dooley attend the red carpet launch for 'Strictly Come Dancing 2018' at Old Broadcasting House on August 27, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Tim P. Whitby/Tim P. Whitby / Getty Images) Tim P. Whitby Getty Strictly Come Dancing 2018 lineup Presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly will be presenting the show once again Getty Strictly Come Dancing 2018 lineup Judges Judges Craig Revel-Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Shirley Ballas and Bruno Tonioli return Getty Strictly Come Dancing 2018 lineup Female dancers Janette Manrara, Amy Dowden, Nadiya Bychkova, Dianne Buswell, Oti Mabuse, Karen Clifton, Katya Jones and Luba Mushtuk will be pairing up with the celebs Getty Strictly Come Dancing 2018 lineup Male dancers Anton Du Beke, Neil Jones, Johannes Radebe, Aljaz Skorjanec, Gorka Marquez, AJ Pritchard, Giovanni Pernice, Pasha Kovalev, Graziano Di Prima and Kevin Clifton will be pairing up with the celebs Getty Strictly Come Dancing 2018 lineup Vick Hope and Graeme Swann Getty Strictly Come Dancing 2018 lineup Charles Venn and Faye Tozer Getty Strictly Come Dancing 2018 lineup Lauren Steadman and Danny John-Jules Getty Strictly Come Dancing 2018 lineup Joe Sugg and Katie Piper Getty Strictly Come Dancing 2018 lineup Sean Walsh and Kate Silverton Getty

Strictly Come Dancing 2018 is set to kick off on 8 September with a launch show featuring musical guests Nile Rodgers and Chic, Craig David and Stefflon Don.