Strictly Christmas Special star Tayce's famous dad and secret TV role we've all seen
RuPaul's Drag Race UK star Tayce is one of the celebrities taking to the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom as it is transformed into a winter wonderland for this year's Christmas special. Amazingly, she is the first drag artist to be taking part in the hit BBC show.
She will be dancing with professional Kai Widdrington in a bid to be crowned the Strictly Christmas Champion 2024. Tayce will be competing alongside comedian Josh Widdicome, podcaster Vogue Williams, Gladiator and Olympian Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, EastEnders actress Tamzin Outhwaite and racing driver and TV presenter Billy Monger.
While the Newport-born drag queen is most famous for her stint on Drag Race, where she made it all the way to the final in 2021, you may also recognise her from a surprising TV role that has been on our screens in recent months. Tayce voices Gnicky gnome, who has a big blonde wig and a sparkly pink dress in the Asda Christmas advert. She says. "Oh, that's absolutely lush!" as the other gnomes move a mannequin displaying a sequin dress.
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Who is Tayce?
Tayce is a 30-year-old drag artist, model and presenter from Newport in South Wales. She is often dubbed the "Naomi Campbell of Drag" and has modelled for some of the biggest fashion houses all over the world. She has also presented on BBC Radio 1, MTV and Sky.
She made it all the way to the final in series two of RuPaul's Drag Race UK. While she is most known for her fashion and lipsync skills, she also showed her comedic side when she first entered the Drag Race Werkroom with the line: "Woah, woah, woah. This doesn't look like Barry Island, but it sure will do."
Who is Tayce's famous dad?
Tayce is not the only famous face in her family. Her father, Roger Radix, was a bass guitarist for the English pop duo Wham! who are currently Christmas number one for the second year running with Last Christmas, first released in 1984.
What has Tayce said about the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special?
Ahead of her performance on the Strictly Come Dancing special, Tayce said: "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."
Sharing a snap of her and Kai from the rehearsal room, she added: "BRB about to crank up the @bbcstrictly thermostat to a sensible 100 degrees.
"@kaiwidd has been putting me through my paces and what we have coming for you on Christmas day is really gonna warm you up!"
What has Tayce said about her appearance in the ASDA Christmas advert?
Tayce's appearance in the ASDA Christmas advert marks the first time a drag queen has been spotlighted in a Yuletide ad for one of Britain's leading supermarkets, reports The Mirror. Tayce's manager Dylan Davey from The Social Inc spoke about the importance of this representation: "ASDA’s decision to feature Tayce in its new Christmas campaign reflects a major shift in advertising. It clearly signals the rising mainstream popularity of drag culture.
"With inclusivity now a top value for brands, this is a statement-making choice that points toward a broader acceptance of drag as an art form beloved by the public. In fact, since the news has spread, we’ve been approached by several leading mainstream brands. I think this has given brands lots of confidence to go for it, and it marks the beginning of an exciting new era in celebrity brand endorsements"
The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Christmas Day
