Four dancers are reportedly keen to be the professional half of Strictly Come Dancing's first male-male couple on the new series.

Last week the show confirmed former Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite for the lineup, also revealing that he will be given a male partner in a show first.

Graziano Di Prima has previously spoken of his desire to be paired up with a man, having previously danced a routine with fellow pro Johannes Radebe, who is also in contention.

According to The Sun, show veteran Giovanni Pernice is also in the running, as is newcomer Kai Widdrington, who stands at 6ft 2in.

"Producers are keen to pair up John with the right dancer and that means ensuring he has someone of a similar height - and Kai fits the bills perfectly," a source told the newspaper.

"Kai also has experience of being in a same sex pairing as last year he was coupled with Big Brother star Brian Dowling on Ireland's version of Strictly.

"But there'll be disappointment felt, in particular, by Johannes and Graziano as two years ago they blazed a trail by performing the show's first all-male dance routine on the show."

The new series begins on BBC One at the end of September, with the pairings due to be revealed early next month.