Drag queen Tayce wins Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special

Strictly Come Dancing's first drag queen competitor, Tayce, and professional dance partner Kai Widdrington have been crowned the winners of this year's Christmas special.

Judge Craig Revel Horwood praised their cha-cha to 100 Degrees by Kylie and Dannii Minogue, saying it was "absolutely fierce, serving realness, serving fab-u-lous".

The pair received tens across the board for their routine, beating comedian Josh Widdicombe, actor Tamzin Outhwaite, DJ and podcaster Vogue Williams, Gladiator Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and former racing driver Billy Monger to lift the trophy.

Tayce, from Newport in south Wales, competed on the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race UK in 2020, and despite losing out to Scotland's Lawrence Chaney, she now has a trophy of her own.

The festive special began with a group routine from the celebrities and their dance partners to I Love Christmas from the Scrooge film, and ended with a closing number to Leona Lewis's version of I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day.

Following the routine from Widdicombe and his professional dance partner Karen Hauer, which scored them 36 out of 40, Strictly judge Anton Du Beke said he was "gobsmacked" at the "totally, totally brilliant" routine.

Du Beke, who has been with Strictly since its first series in 2004 - first as a professional dancer and then as a judge - also had a message for Hauer.

"It has finally happened, the moment has come. Karen has turned into me. She is the longest-serving professional on Strictly... congratulations, you've earned it."