Dannii Minogue, the host of BBC Three’s I Kissed a Girl (IKAG), is ‘riding the waves of emotions’ as the final season of the much-loved queer reality series ends.
Premiering in 2023, it was the first British gay dating show, starting with a season for men (I Kissed a Boy). Sadly, the series has been cancelled due to ‘funding challenges’ cited by the broadcaster.
The contestants are paired up with a romantic partner in episode one, and their first interaction is a big old kiss – no small talk needed.
It’s a concept that host Dannii admitted she ‘gasped’ at when first introduced to the idea – and it comes off powerfully on screen, as the strangers walk towards one another to lock lips on introduction.
As we were talking, Dannii was in Melbourne, Australia – although her camera was off on our video call (due to connection issues), I could hear the upset in her voice.
‘There’ll be such a devastating sadness when it’s finished,’ she said.
In amongst the rain, there is sometimes a rainbow, and Dannii wasn’t about to forget this one: ‘There’s one half of me that is just like: “What we really need to focus on is the joy in the show”, which has been there since season one.
‘And queer joy being seen is such a defiant act.’
She talked about the joy on set felt by the crew who were with other members of their LGBT community and making this show that they knew would be so impactful: ‘And all their conversations like, “Wow, I never had this growing up.”’
Admittedly, Dannii thought they’d be in a different position as they saw the show out: ‘Our initial idea was we were going to make this show, and hopefully open a doorway so that other shows for this community could start appearing.
‘And it seems like the reality space is not moving in the way that we thought that it would. We thought we would be in amongst a lot of competition by now.’
It’s clear Dannii is disappointed by this. We’re on season 13 of Love Island UK – but gay dating shows are few and far between.
Netflix’s The Boyfriend aired a second season this year, but The Ultimatum: Queer Love was cancelled by the streamer in 2025 after two seasons.
Save for the odd breakout same-sex relationship on a heteronormative dating show, there’s little in terms of queer representation in this domain, especially for women.
While the BBC aren’t continuing with the Twofour production, Dannii was hopeful that the show will be able to find a ‘forever home’.
Defiantly, she announced: ‘We won’t stop until we see it.’
Offering a glimmer of hope, Dannii told Metro: ‘There are conversations happening.’
Although she added that the next few weeks will be telling, as ‘whoever’s wanting to take it’ will be keen to see how it’s received.
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That’s where the loyal fanbase has come in this season: ‘We’ve had a celebration this time around that we hadn’t had before with all of these parties.’
Dannii referenced the fact that people are going one step further than just watching the show at a friend’s house. In an effort to make sure viewing figures don’t dip, they’re streaming it again once they get home despite having already watched it.
And with the airing of the first episodes coinciding with an England World Cup match, this isn’t a bad idea.
When asked if she had a message for the queer community this Pride month, Dannii said: ‘Hope is such a powerful thing.
She elaborated, and spoke positively about ‘really connecting with other people that are like-minded, to see how we can actively make a difference.’
‘That’s the biggest take [away] for me this Pride month compared to previous ones, is how you can be creative with celebrating, even if something has been taken away from you.’
Both Dannii, 54, and her older sister Kylie, 58, have become gold-standard gay icons, creating a safe space for the queer community with their music.
The I Begin to Wonder hitmaker said that the Love at First Sight singer ‘absolutely loves’ the show.
‘I have a little a siblings chat with my sister and my brother, and I’ve been sending them loads of social media posts that have little chunks of the show, as well as the commentary and the parties that are going on, just to let them know what the vibe is.’
Talking of family, Dannii spoke of her 16-year-old son in our chat. She tells us that ‘he’s quite a bit younger than the cast’, and therefore she doesn’t really know many people who are the contestants’ age.
The former X Factor judge said: ‘The way they move and interact and talk and their freedom and how confident they are – I love being around that because it’s such a great energy.
‘And I feel like there would be quite a few people my age that would be scared of being around people that age, but it’s like, you’ve got to stay open.’
We finished the chat after Dannii generously asked what IKAG has meant to me, and what else could she do to support the community while we wait to see what will happen to the show.
There’s a sense of urgency about her allyship, proving once again that she is the perfect fit for this magnificent show.
I Kissed A Girl is available to watch on BBC iPlayer, with new episodes dropping Tuesdays.