Strictly Come Dancing professional Kai Widdrington has spoken out on social media for the first time since it was confirmed he'd be dancing with the show's first-ever drag queen contestant for the Christmas special.
Just one day after comedian Josh Widdecombe was unveiled as the first star taking part in the festive edition of the show, It Takes Two host Fleur East announced drag queen Tayce as the second participant on Tuesday evening.
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.
BBC Strictly: Tayce was unveiled during Tuesday's It Takes Two
BBC
"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.
BBC Strictly: Kai Widdrington was benched this year but has performed in the pro routines
BBC
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."
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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."
