all eyes were on contestants Gili Shem Tov and Dorit Milman.
They became the first same-sex dance partners in the history of the show, since the format was launched in 2004 as the British program Strictly Come Dancing.
via solomonia.com
Two Israeli women have become the first same-sex couple to compete in a version of Strictly Come Dancing.
Gili Shem Tov, an openly gay TV sportscaster, has been paired with professional female dancer Dorit Milman in the latest series of the popular show.
The 34-year-old blonde insisted on being placed with a female partner while competing in the show because 'it felt natural'.
'This is my way of life and this is my agenda, and I wanted to express it,' she told reporters.Groundbreaking: Openly gay TV star Gili Shem Tov (left) and dancer Dorit Milman become the first ever same-sex couple to compete in Israel's version of Strictly
'For me it felt natural. I live with a woman, we are raising my son. It's not an issue.'
'If by doing that even a few people will be more tolerant and open-minded, I achieved my goal.
The pair performed their first dance together last night dressed identically in a skimpy dress, fishnet stockings and dangly earrings.
Milman, who is heterosexual, said she was thrilled to be competing with Shem Tov.
Changing the rules: Gili says she hoped their paring would influence people 'to be more tolerant and open-minded''Everyone knows that Israel has a lot of extremes,' she said.
Double act:The pair wore identical outfits for the groundbreaking performance
'When we go on primetime TV as a couple, we're showing everyone can love everyone.
'It's about respecting the way of life of other people, even if it's not your way of life.'
However she revealed that they had been forced to 'change the rules' to make their dance routine work.
'The leader and the follower, we change all the time the moves, in one time I lead her, another she leads me,' she said.
Shall we dance? Dorit (bottom) says she's thrilled to be competing with Gili
BBC Worldwide Productions, which licenses the series' format globally, said it was the first time a Dancing with the Stars competition had featured a same-sex pairing.
The Dancing with the Stars format, in which celebrities are paired with professional dancers and compete for the votes of judges and viewers, is broadcast in more than 75 countries.
Israel hosts an annual gay pride parade and has a thriving gay club scene in Tel Aviv.
Watch Gili Shem Tov and dancer Dorit Milman compete in Israel's Strictly Come Dancing below:
via dailymail.co.uk
