Strictly Come Dancing announces its first drag artist for Christmas special

The Wales-born radio presenter and model said she "cannot wait to 'sleigh' on the Strictly ballroom floor" where she will be paired with professional dancer Kai Widdrington.

The 30-year-old was a finalist in series two of the drag-based reality series and has even released a rap single in Swagzilla, she is also the child of former Wham! bass player Roger Radix.

Speaking about appearing on the show, Tayce said: "I cannot wait to 'sleigh' on the Strictly ballroom floor. My partner and I are going to dance for our lives.

"In all seriousness, it's an incredible honour to be the first drag artist to be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing. I hope I do all of my Drag Race and Welsh fans proud.

"Sign me up for all the glitz, glam and disco balls."

Despite Strictly never having a drag artist as a contestant, actor Layton Williams performed in drag as Betty Rizzo from the musical Grease with professional partner Nikita Kuzmin to the song There Are Worse Things I Could Do, during the show's 2023 series.

RuPaul's Drag Race UK judge Michelle Visage also appeared on Strictly in 2019, where she was partnered with Giovanni Pernice and was the eighth celebrity to be eliminated.

It comes after The Last Leg star Josh Widdecombe was announced as the first celebrity to take part in this year's Christmas episode, where he will be partnered with professional dancer Karen Hauer.

Along with her drag and music work, Tayce has presented a number of BBC radio shows and has hosted MTV's Queerpiphany alongside model Munroe Bergdorf.

The Christmas special will see six couples perform a festive routine in the hope of impressing judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas, along with the voting studio audience.

The news was announced on Strictly's sister show It Takes Two, with the rest of the festive line-up set to be revealed on the programme.