Who won the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special? Tayce Szura-Radix makes history as first drag queen champ with pro Kai Widdrington

Strictly Come Dancing’s first ever drag queen contestant Tayce Szura-Radix was topped the winner of its Christmas particular on Wednesday.

The Welsh performer, 30, and her skilled dance companion Kai Widdrington impressed judges with a scorching Cha-Cha to Kylie and Danni Minogue’s hit 100 Levels earlier than lifting the glistening Strictly Christmas star-shaped trophy.

The drag queen made fairly the doorway as she arrived on a glowing moon suspended excessive above the ballroom, earlier than she was lowered to the dance ground.

Her energetic efficiency, which included a sequence of spectacular lifts, was awarded an ideal rating with 4 10s from judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood.

They confronted stiff competitors from fellow contestants comic Josh Widdicombe, Irish presenter Vogue Williams, EastEnders actress Tamzin Outhwaite, Formulation 1 driver Billy Monger, and Gladiator star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey.

Tayce, who wore a blonde wig and a festive gold costume, revealed that she did her personal make up for her look on the present.

The Welsh performer, 30, and her skilled dance companion Kai Widdrington impressed judges with a scorching Cha-Cha to Kylie and Danni Minogue’s hit 100 Levels earlier than lifting the glistening Strictly Christmas star-shaped trophy

She is the primary drag artist to compete on the dance present in its 20 12 months historical past, after discovering fame on the BBC expertise competitors Ru Paul’s Drag Race.

After the pair had been introduced as winners, Tayce was fully overwhelmed as she requested: ‘Is it me?’ 

Requested how she felt she added: ‘Actually surreal, I felt prefer it looks like a dream that it went in addition to it did! I am so comfortable I could not make it up, I’m speechless. Thanks a lot!’

The performer additionally beforehand mentioned she obtained on-line abuse following her ‘controversial’ look within the line-up of Strictly’s upcoming Christmas particular.

She mentioned: ‘I’ve seen hate, I’ve seen it is controversial, it is provocative however that is all of the issues that I’m I would not change that for the world. 

‘I believe there was a number of backlash from folks being like “oh, it is the person or they’re taking over a girl’s area” and issues like that. 

‘I believe some folks truthfully simply have a little bit of a fancy as a result of I look sizzling they usually cannot take it. It’s true.’

Requested how she felt to be Strictly’s first drag contestant, she mentioned: ‘It feels appropriate, pushing boundaries, pushing the envelope child’.

Josh Widdicombe, Tayce, Vogue Willaims, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Tamzi Outhwaite and Billy Monger took half within the particular this 12 months

Her energetic efficiency, which included a sequence of spectacular lifts, was awarded an ideal rating with 4 10s from the judges 

Josh Widdicombe, 41, dressed as a penguin to bop a Charleston to Let It Snow with skilled Karen Hauer, 42, because the couple bagged a rating of 36, together with a ten from Anton

 She is the primary drag artist to compete on the dance present in its 20 12 months historical past, after discovering fame on the BBC expertise competitors Ru Paul’s Drag Race

‘I am right here to make it clear. I believe there’s gonna be a number of stress on me with that as effectively. However I like stress, it makes you’re employed more durable’.

In the meantime companion Kai added: ‘Dancing is about dancing. 

‘It is not male feminine or no matter they select to be. It would not hassle me. 

‘Tayce will inform you that we get on like a home on hearth. I believe it is unbelievable that Tayce is the flag bearer for the drag group.’

Josh Widdicombe, 41, dressed as a penguin to bop a Charleston to Let It Snow with skilled Karen Hauer, 42, because the couple bagged a rating of 36, together with a ten from Anton. 

Skating throughout the ground whereas mendacity down on a skateboard with a fish in his mouth, Anton mentioned: ‘I’ve to inform you one factor although, it has lastly occurred, the second has come. Karen has changed into me. 

She is the longest-serving skilled on Strictly they usually provide you with a Widdicombe, congratulations, you’ve earned it. I’m gobsmacked, that was completely, completely good.’

Additionally a part of the festive line-up Vogue and Gorka jived to Rockin’ Robin by Bobby Day as they obtained a rating of 33 for his or her routine by the judges. 

Elsewhere, former EastEnders star Tamzin and Nikita danced a Viennese waltz to KD Lang’s model of Hallelujah.

Former racing automotive driver Billy Monger and Nadiya Bychkova danced the American clean to Merry Christmas by Ed Sheeran and Sir Elton John. 

In the meantime Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and his dance companion Nancy Xu danced road business to the Glee solid model of Christmas Wrapping.

Additionally a part of the festive line-up Vogue and Gorka jived to Rockin’ Robin by Bobby Day as they obtained a rating of 33 for his or her routine by the judges

In the meantime Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and his dance companion Nancy Xu danced road business to the Glee solid model of Christmas Wrapping

Elsewhere, former EastEnders star Tamzin and Nikita danced a Viennese waltz to KD Lang’s model of Hallelujah

Former racing automotive driver Billy Monger and Nadiya Bychkova danced the American clean to Merry Christmas by Ed Sheeran and Sir Elton John

The celebrities appeared stuffed with festive cheer for the fan favorite annual particular 

The Christmas particular additionally featured a efficiency from Spice Ladies singer Emma Bunton who sang 1996 smash hit 2 Grow to be 1

Josh beforehand informed The Mail on Sunday: ‘There’s a number of pleasure. We’re penguins, there is a skateboard and a slide, there is a fish in my mouth. It is fairly a considerate piece and when you look deep it is in regards to the state of the world in 2024.’

Talking forward of the prerecord, the tv persona feared that there could possibly be some mishaps throughout his comical routine.

He mentioned: ‘It is not going to be straightforward since you consider the worst factor that might occur, like hitting Karen whereas flying by way of the air on nationwide tv on Christmas Day. 

‘Or falling in your a***. Then you have to overcome these fears. It wasn’t straightforward. Anybody who says it is simple is not actually contemplating all the things that might go flawed bodily.’

The Final Leg presenter mentioned that he was participating within the dance competitors as a result of his seven-year-old daughter Pearl is an enormous fan and they’re going to watch it as a household.

He additionally mentioned he launched her to Karen, he mentioned: ‘She was so thrilled. She would not cease speaking about her. She’s written her a Christmas card with 4 canine on it as a result of Karen’s obtained 4 canine.’

Josh additionally paid tribute to comic Chris McCausland who gained the sequence earlier this month.

He mentioned: ‘What a man, what an unimaginable human. Let’s not patronise him by saying he is heroic, he is a very good dancer and that should not be misplaced beneath the actual fact he is doing one thing wonderful as a result of he is blind. 

‘He is genuinely obtained nice dancing abilities. That should not be misplaced.’

The Christmas particular additionally featured a efficiency from Spice Ladies singer Emma Bunton who sang 1996 smash hit 2 Grow to be 1.