Kai Widdrington issues statement after drag queen partner win in controversial BBC Strictly special
Strictly Come Dancing professional Kai Widdrington lifted the winners’ trophy during Wednesday’s Christmas special.
The dancer had been partnered with drag performer Tayce, who in the run-up to the festive special has addressed backlash to their sign-up. Widdrington broke his own silence on Thursday following the victory, which sparked a flurry of supportive comments.
Tayce found fame as a finalist on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK season two, and has since gone on to present for Sky, MTV and BBC Radio 1.
Ahead of the Christmas special, some fans were quick to share their disapproval regarding Tayce’s appearance on the BBC favourite, while others have shown their support.
Tayce has addressed the negative remarks in the past, and Widdrington, 29, has shared his thoughts on the win on his Instagram page, where he posted a photo of the two looking overjoyed as they lifted the trophy.
Seemingly ignoring the backlash on social media, the choreographer simply wrote: “We’ve only gone and done it. 2024 Christmas champs !!! Thankyou everyone for your lovely messages #CRACKTHATNUTTTT #sleigh.” (sic)
He was met with an array of support by both co-stars and fans, who took to the comments to congratulate Widdrington on the win.
Fellow professional Lauren Oakley penned: “Yesssss.”
This year’s series winner Dianne Buswell commented: “Go on,” with a string of clapping and heart emojis.
Tasha Ghouri, who reached the final of this year’s show alongside professional dancer Aljaz Skorjanec, added: “A whole slay.”
“Huge congratulations Kai and Tayce,” one viewer wrote.
Another remarked: “Fabulous winners,” while someone else posted: “Amazing! Congratulations.” (sic)
Following their Cha Cha Cha, Tayce and Widdrington achieved a perfect score of 40 from judges Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.
The winners were decided with a combination of the studio audience votes as well as the judges’ scores.
While their win sparked a “fix” row online, it seems the Strictly couple have decide to focus on their title as Christmas special winners rather than responding to criticism.
However, Tayce has already addressed the backlash prior to their appearance on the show, explaining how they brush off negativity.
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They previously told the BBC: “It’s such an honour to be part of this amazing and highly popular show, pushing the envelope and breaking boundaries as the first drag queen to appear on it.
“The response has been overwhelmingly positive, though there’s also been some negativity from trolls, but that’s nothing I can’t handle.”
Just days before the Christmas special, Tayce quipped that the criticism only flooded in “because I look hot”.
“I’ve seen hate, I’ve seen it’s controversial, it’s provocative but that’s all the things that I am I wouldn’t change that for the world,” Tayce said to Mail Online.