Welsh drag artist Tayce from Newport made history by winning the BBC Strictly Christmas Special alongside professional dancer Kai Widdrington. The duo secured victory with a flawless performance, receiving perfect scores of four 10s for their cha-cha to 100 Degrees by Kylie and Dannii Minogue. The panel of judges, including Craig Revel Horwood, lauded the pair for their fierce and fabulous routine, with Craig praising their “absolutely fierce, serving realness, serving fab-u-lous” performance.
The show also featured other notable performances, such as comedian Josh Widdicombe and Karen Hauer’s delightful Charleston dressed as penguins to the Glee cast version of Let It Snow. Additionally, Irish TV personality Vogue Williams and Gorka Marquez showcased a lively jive to Rockin’ Robin by Bobby Day, receiving high praise from the judges for their routine. Former EastEnders star Tamzin Outhwaite and Nikita Kuzmin wowed the audience with a Viennese waltz to KD Lang’s rendition of Hallelujah, earning admiration for their graceful performance.
Moreover, former racing driver Billy Monger and Nadiya Bychkova impressed with their American smooth to Merry Christmas by Ed Sheeran and Sir Elton John. Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Nancy Xu delivered a vibrant street commercial routine to the Glee cast version of Christmas Wrapping, showcasing their dynamic dance skills. The festive special commenced with a lively group routine to I Love Christmas from the Scrooge film and culminated in a touching closing number to Leona Lewis’s I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day, adding to the holiday cheer.
Aside from the dazzling performances, the episode also featured a special musical guest appearance by Emma Bunton, who delighted viewers with a rendition of the Spice Girls song 2 Become 1. The winners of the Christmas special were determined through a combination of studio audience votes and judges’ scores, with Tayce and Kai emerging as the deserving champions of the night, adding a glittering accolade to their repertoire.
Tayce’s victory marks a significant milestone in the history of Strictly Come Dancing, as the first drag artist to claim the coveted title. The talented duo’s triumph resonated with audiences, showcasing the diversity and inclusivity of the dance competition. Their perfect score and captivating performance captivated viewers and left a lasting impression, cementing their place in Strictly lore.
The Christmas special’s star-studded lineup and captivating routines added to the festive spirit, providing a memorable evening of dance and entertainment for viewers. As Tayce and Kai celebrated their well-deserved win, the audience joined in the jubilation, applauding the duo for their exceptional talent and remarkable achievement on the Strictly dance floor. This victory not only highlights Tayce’s prowess as a performer but also underscores the power of dance to transcend boundaries and create moments of pure magic on stage.