Kai Widdrington makes feelings clear on being paired with first BBC Strictly drag queen star in Christmas special

Welsh-born Tayce was a finalist on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK during its second season and has gone on to pursue a modelling career while enjoying presenting gigs on the likes of BBC Radio 1, MTV and Sky.

Tayce was introduced to Strictly fans during Tuesday's It Takes Two where the drag queen was so excited by the news their "wig almost came off".

When asked how "ready" they were for the ballroom, Tayce replied to East: "Oh, mumma. I think the question is are they ready for me?"

Tayce promised to bring the "electric", "drama", "passion", "fashion" and "je ne sais quoi" to the dancefloor before unveiling Widdrington as their celebrity partner.

"I love him. We had an amazing day the other day rehearsing, day one, and I've got honestly most of the routine down already, so buckle up princess, it's going to be a bumpy ride," Tayce said, prompting laughter from East.

Widdrington and Tayce will be performing to Kylie Minogue track A Hundred Degrees when they take to the ballroom for the first time.

"Oh, I can't wait for Kai to spin me around like the light, little, gorgeous model that I am but honestly, it's in the name of the song, A Hundred Degrees and I'm gonna turn up the heat, so let's go!" Tayce defiantly added.

Soon after the announcement, a clip of Tayce's unveiling was shared on Instagram, which prompted Widdrington - who was absent from It Takes Two - to share his thoughts on the partnership.

Widdrington made it very clear he was excited to be part of the historic pairing, writing in response to Tayce's It Takes Two interview: "NOONE is ready for this," followed by a winking and fire emoji.

In another Instagram post shared by the show, Widdrington shared a series of laughing emojis in response to Tayce's "buckle up princess" remark.

Widdrington was far from the only Strictly alum to express excitement at the appointment as last year's finalist Layton Williams reacted to the news on Instagram with the one-word statement: "Gaggggeddddd!!!"

"THAT IS RIGHT BABY GIRL," added former Giovanni Pernice partner Michelle Visage while current contestant Tasha Ghouri penned: "Absolute slay."

Tayce's spot in the festive special's line-up hasn't come without opposition, however, with one person on X reacting to the announcement by saying: "Oh please, please BBC, stop putting Drag everywhere."

The user went on to say drag artists "mocked" women while a second also shared their disappointment: "Absolutely wrong choice, it’s a family show on Christmas Day, not a drag race."

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• Timothy West dies aged 90 as children issue heartbreaking statement: 'All of us will miss him terribly'
• Alison Hammond yells 'leave me!' as she falls off Bake Off worktop in chaotic Channel 4 scenes
• Graziano Di Prima ‘stronger than ever’ and makes vow four months after BBC Strictly scandal

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by BBC Strictly (@bbcstrictly)

However, Tayce received plenty of support from other members of the Strictly fandom who hit back at the backlash, including one who said: "This is amazing it's about time we have drag queen on the show but what is not OK is the hate this hate needs to stop I'm super excited for Christmas special of the show I love it." (sic)

Tayce also spoke out about joining the line-up for the festive in an official statement that read: "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 discoballs."