ES News email The latest headlines in your inbox twice a day Monday - Friday plus breaking news updates Enter your email address Continue Please enter an email address Email address is invalid Fill out this field Email address is invalid You already have an account. Please log in Register with your social account or click here to log in I would like to receive lunchtime headlines Monday - Friday plus breaking news alerts, by email Update newsletter preferences

Eggheads star CJ de Mooi has slammed Strictly Come Dancing, claiming that he was rejected by the show because he asked for a same-sex partner.

The popular TV programme, the current series of which launched last night, sparked controversy after responding to CJ's claims by saying same-sex couples would not be introduced because Strictly is a "family show".

CJ, who is openly gay, claims the show's producers opted for Eggheads' host, Jeremy Vine, instead because of his request.

He told the Daily Mirror: "I can’t believe they picked Jeremy over me. I’m quite upset. It’s because I wanted to dance in a same-sex couple.

"Someone at the BBC told me at least for the foreseeable future neither Strictly Come Dancing or the US version Dancing With The Stars will have a same-sex couple on. How disappointing."

The 45-year-old, who is also an actor, suggested professional dancer Robin Windsor, 35, may also have been axed as he wanted same-sex pairings.

He said: “Robin was pushing for same-sex couples, suddenly he’s not in it.”

The row deepened further last night when Peter Andre's suggestion that he would like to dance with a man was laughed at by host Tess Daly.

The pop star, who made his debut on the BBC One show yesterday, was asked by Daly who he wanted to dance with, to which he replied: "Umm, Anton [du Beke]?"

The co-host then laughed at him, and told him: "That's not gonna happen I'm afraid!"

Responding to CJ's claims, a spokesperson for the show said: "Strictly is a family show and we have chosen the traditional format of mixed-sex couples. At the moment we have no plans to introduce same-sex couples."

A source also reportedly told the Daily Mirror that there were never any plans to include CJ on the show, saying: “We never approached nor had any plans to approach CJ to participate in this year’s series of Strictly Come Dancing.

"CJ’s agent gave us the opportunity to consider him but there was only one person we ever wanted from Eggheads and that was Jeremy Vine and we are delighted that we got our man.”