BBC Strictly makes history as it unveils first ever drag queen in series line-up
Strictly Come Dancing has made history by unveiling the first-ever drag queen contestant to compete in the show’s flagship series.
La Voix, whose real name is Chris Dennis, is a performer, presenter and singer who competed in the 2024 series of the BBC series RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.
The drag act admitted they “couldn’t wait to get started” ahead of the show’s launch next month.
Speaking to the BBC, La Voix said: “I’ve performed for royalty, RuPaul and Simon Cowell, but nothing fills me with more excitement (and quite a bit of terror) than the thought of dancing in front of millions on live Saturday night TV.
**ARE YOU READING THIS ON OUR APP? DOWNLOAD NOW FOR THE BEST GB NEWS EXPERIENCE**
“Strictly is a national institution, and I can’t wait to get started.
“All that’s left to say is: good luck to my partner! Here’s hoping they can help me go from La Voix into La Danse.”
La Voix is the second drag queen to perform on Strictly, following Tayce’s stint on the Christmas special last year. However, they are the first drag performer to have landed a role in the flagship series line-up.
The 45-year-old was announced as the seventh confirmed star for this year’s line-up on the same morning that rugby legend Chris Robshaw also joined the cast.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Nadiya Bychkova rushed to hospital over ‘pretty nasty’ injury during BBC Strictly rehearsalsEamonn Holmes joined by former co-star Penny Smith as presenter joins GB News: ‘Just like old times’Jeremy Clarkson forced to pause filming for Clarkson’s Farm as JD Vance holidays near Diddly Squat
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey of Gladiators fame was the first celebrity unveiled earlier this week. He lit the dance floor alight during last year’s Christmas special alongside the aforementioned Tayce.
Elsewhere, Love Island winner Dani Dyer will be performing on this year’s show, as will actress Alex Kingston and football legend Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal and podcaster and TikTok star George Clarke complete the line-up as of Wednesday morning.
Robshaw also issued a statement on Wednesday morning soon after his and La Voix’s involvement was confirmed.
The former England captain said: “This is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets!
“I’m hoping to take my dad dancing to a whole new level, and my mum can’t wait to drag me along to her Zumba class.
“Let’s see if a rugby sidestep works in the Cha Cha Cha.”
La Voix’s arrival has been met with wide support from the pro line-up as the drag performer awaits to see who they’ll be paired with.
Reacting on Instagram, last year’s winner Dianne Buswell replied: “Love the hair… welcome xxxxxx.”
Former champion Oti Mabuse echoed: “ABOUT TIME !!! You’ve been dreaming about this for years – I hope it’s everything and more you’ve been waiting for.”
Meanwhile, Big Brother star and fellow drag performer Danny Beard shared a praise emoji with the word: “Yesssss.”
Elsewhere, pro dancer Lauren Oakley said she “cannot wait”, while the likes of Neil Jones, Jowita Przystal, and Nancy Xu Xi all wrote “welcome” to La Voix. (sic)