CBBC has been highly praised by viewers for airing its first same-sex kiss.
In Canadian mockumentary-style drama series The Next Step, which follows a dance troupe as they prepare for and compete in various competitions and championships, the channel’s first ever same sex kiss was seen on-screen.
The latest episode, which aired on Wednesday 22 July, saw female characters Cleo and Jude lock lips following a highly-charged duet, with fans applauding the scene on social media and lauding the network for its progression.
Momentous: CBBC series The Next Step has been highly praised by viewers for airing its first same-sex kiss
In the episode, called ‘Room Service’, Cleo, played by Dani Verayo, is left floored after her pal Summer (Sage Linder) decides to leave the troupe.
She soon seeks support from Jude, played by Molly Sanders, with the girls having a heart-to-heart, before launching into a romantic routine performed to Brave by Shane Harte.
As Cleo and Jude get closer during their duet, it brings about a historic moment for CBBC as they then share a tender kiss.
After the momentous scene aired, viewers were quick to take to Twitter to praise the channel breaking down barriers and taking a big leap forward for LGBTQ representation.
Getting close: The latest episode, which aired on Wednesday 22 July, saw female characters Cleo and Jude (pictured) lock lips following a highly-charged duet, with fans applauding the scene on social media
‘CBBC JUST DID THAT! THE NEXT STEP, A KIDS SHOW, JUST DID THAT!’ gushed one viewer.
While another penned: ‘I clapped when it happened. Well done CBBC and The Next Step! This is what progression looks like.’
A third watcher tweeted: ‘on cbbc??? they wouldn’t have put ANYTHING like this on there when i was little and that was only like 10 years ago,,, we moving forward!!!’
Support: Cleo seeks support from Jude, played by Molly Sanders, with the girls having a heart-to-heart, before launching into a romantic routine
Wow: The pair express themselves with a stunning performance, danced to the song Brave by Shane Harte
‘YES! I’m so proud of how far The Next Step has come and how it’s helped pioneer CBBC’ shared a fourth.
‘This is the first proper lgbt couple ever on cbbc right cause I will never be over this’, wrote a fifth person.
Another person enthused: ‘When kids shoes have representation like this it honestly makes me so happy because I know there are kids out there who will feel less alone than I did thank you @cbbc @thenextstep.’
More than friendship: As Cleo and Jude get closer during their duet, it brings about a historic moment for CBBC as they then share a tender kiss
With another agreeing: ‘Another step in the right direction. Well done @cbbc #lgbtawareness.’
‘Cleo and I are opposites in a lot of ways. Which is why we balance each other’ Jude said in the episode.
She continued: ‘I soften her edges, and she’s helped me to dream bigger. Cleo means the world to me.
Praise: After the momentous scene aired, viewers were quick to take to Twitter to praise the channel breaking down barriers and taking a big leap forward for LGBTQ representation
‘When I dance with Cleo, I forget about everything. It’s just her. We’re dancing together and all I see is her.’
While Cleo added: ‘When I dance with Jude, I feel safe and free all at the same time. When we dance together, it’s like magic.’
A BBC representative told The Metro: ‘CBBC is proud to reflect all areas of children’s lives, including age appropriate representation of same sex relationships, across our factual and fictional output.’
The Next Step airs on CBBC and can be streamed via BBC iPlayer.
All the feels: ‘When I dance with Jude, I feel safe and free all at the same time. When we dance together, it’s like magic’
