The first same-sex pair to compete on Denmark's version of Dancing With The Stars has won the reality TV competition.
Gay actor and comedian Jakob Fauerby, along with his professional dance partner Silas Holst, had been front-runners throughout the series.
“Not in my wildest dreams did I anticipate this,” Fauerby, told prior to being announced the winner, saying it was an honour to have represented LGBTIQ+ people on Danish TV.
“We are a small country of only 5.6 million people, and every Friday more than a million people tune in to watch the show and many more watch it on-demand afterward,” he explained.
“There are very few shows that everyone sees, and this is one of them, so there are a lot of feelings connected to it.”
Celebrating his win on social media, the actor and father-of-two wrote: "It’s totally crazy and absolutely amazing. Thank you so much to all of you for your wonderful messages and great support over the last 12 weeks.
“I am so proud that my daughter, her big brother, and all other little boys and girls can go out into the world and love them the way they want and dance with whomever they want.”
Previously, Fauerby toldthat he was passionate about achieving grater LGBTIQ+ representation in the Danish media.
“I’m proud if I can help a young man or woman out there who feels recognised,” he said, reflecting on Denmark's media landscape.
"If you heard about [LGBTQ+] people in the media back then, it was often because they were dead.”
The 42-year-old added: “We’re just one couple out of 160 in 16 years.
“So for me, if a young boy, boy, girl, or trans person has the opportunity to see that positive representation as part of a TV show, that is empowering in itself.
