The Christmas Special of Strictly Come Dancing is set to make history by featuring the first drag queen competitor in the show’s 20-year run. Tayce, hailing from Newport in South Wales, made it to the finals of Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK in 2020 and is now vying for the glitterball trophy. Partnered with dance professional Kai Widdrington, Tayce will face off against other celebrity competitors including comedian Josh Widdicombe, presenter and fitness expert Vogue Williams, Gladiator and Olympian Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, actress Tamzin Outhwaite, and racing driver and TV presenter Billy Monger.
Tayce expressed pride in being the first drag artist to take part in the competition and is taking a stand against those who might criticize the move with claims of overt sexualization. “There’s nothing sexualized about it. Drag has been around for centuries whether people like it or not, so I think this may open people’s eyes a bit and give them a different view,” Tayce stated. The seasoned street dancer shared that he plans on watching the Christmas special with his family in Newport, including his father, Roger, who was the original bass player for Wham! and performed on tracks like Wham Rap and Wake Me Up Before You Go Go.
Tayce reminisced on how supportive his parents have always been, recalling fond memories of wearing a feather boa around his waist, little sashes, wigs, and heels when going to McDonald’s as a child. “We need more parents like that because I’ve got friends who’ve been exiled or kicked out of their houses [over who they are],” Tayce noted. Tayce is set to dance in a short gold fitted dress, with his long blonde hair styled alongside Kai’s sheer black and silver shirt and black trousers with a Christmas tree as the background.
When asked about his chemistry with dance partner Kai Widdrington, Tayce shared that they had an instant connection. “He put me through my paces, and I put him through his,” Tayce recalled, saying, “I like to light up the room.” Tayce is proud to have followed in the footsteps of trailblazing performers and is happy to be a beacon of inspiration for the future
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