Nicola Adams and Katya Jones performed one last time during the finale of Strictly Come Dancing. (YouTube)
Strictly Come Dancing fans are urging the contest to bring lesbian boxer Nicola Adams back next year after she performed a powerful dance routine in the finale.
LGBT+ viewers were overjoyed when Strictly Come Dancing announced that Adams would feature as one half of the show’s first ever same-sex pairing earlier this year – but her time on the show was cut short after dance partner Katya Jones tested positive for COVID-19.
The pair were forced off the show due to strict regulations around the spread of coronavirus, but they reunited on Saturday night (19 December) to perform together one last time in the finale.
Adams and Jones performed a raunchy routine to a rock-infused version of “Feeling Good” – and it had viewers at home feeling a lot of things.
Queer Strictly Come Dancing fans were blown away by the performance, taking to Twitter to express their joy at seeing Adams and Jones on their screens again.
Many called for the show to bring Adams back in 2021 and give her a second chance at Strictly glory.
Nicola Adams should be brought back next series with Katya. If Jamie gets a second chance, so should she! #Strictly
— Calum. (@CalumS1991) December 19, 2020
It was heartwarming to see you both return last night – given the unfortunate circumstances that led to your premature withdrawal, @bbcstrictly should invite you back for 2021.#TeamNicatyaWILLReturn
Merry Christmas to you both (((Hugs))) xxx 🙂
— John Hastings 🏳️🌈 (@JohnBoyHastings) December 20, 2020
Hope they bring @NicolaAdamsOBE back next year. Loved what little we got to see and want more! Especially after this delicious dance tonight! https://t.co/LRygTEsBWg
— Shawndra 🦇🦔 (@Shawndrarara) December 20, 2020
Please bring @NicolaAdamsOBE back for next years strictly. That dance was amazing. Jamie Laing was given a second chance #StrictlyFinal
— Esther Cooper (@spikeybb71) December 19, 2020
Would anyone agree with me, that @NicolaAdamsOBE and Katya should be automatic contestants for the next series. I am not a regular twitter user so I suppose this has already been said. But after the dance in the final…..
— Big Mark (@BigMarkT71) December 19, 2020
Others expressed their joy at seeing Adams and Jones performing together again.
Omg it’s made my year @Mrs_katjones & @NicolaAdamsOBE got to dance again 🥺❤️ @bbcstrictly
— Saffron Barker (@SaffronBarker) December 19, 2020
So powerful seeing @NicolaAdamsOBE dance. I just gave my 15 year-old-self some love, knowing how transformative it would have been to see this on Saturday evening telly in 1995. It’s transformative now. #Strictly https://t.co/ywpl7jaH85
— Ruth Hunt (@ruth_hunt) December 20, 2020
I’ve said it before but I WILL say it again. I cannot express to you just how much it means as a gay woman to see myself represented in a same sex couple on a major mainstream TV show. I feel incredibly emotional about finally being seen and accepted. #StrictlyFinal #NicolaAdams
— The Smooth Booth (@TheSmoothBooth) December 19, 2020
We are witnessing #strictly history – two women dance together, not as gal pals but in a conventional ballroom partnership! #extraordinarymoment @NicolaAdamsOBE @Mrs_katjones @bbcstrictly
— Matthew Bourne (@SirMattBourne) December 19, 2020
Strictly Come Dancing bosses have said Nicola Adams can’t return in 2021.
There was shock from Strictly Come Dancing viewers when it was announced in November that Nicola Adams would leave the competition after Katya Jones tested positive for coronavirus.
Adams said she was “absolutely devastated” that her time on the show came to an early end.
She paid tribute to Jones for being “the best dance partner anyone could ask for”, adding: “She pushed me way out of my comfort zone and it’s been an incredible experience. I’m gutted to be out of the competition but in these unprecedented times and as frustrating as it is, the COVID measures are in place to keep everyone safe, and I’m doing what I can to help.”
Fans hopes that Adams would return in 2021 were quickly dashed when Strictly bosses said she wouldn’t be allowed to compete in the future.
In a statement shared with Loose Women in November, Strictly producers said she would have an unfair advantage over other competitors as she had benefited from “weeks of training”.