Billy Monger reveals the emotional reason he decided to do the Strictly Christmas Special as he hints he may sign up for main series

Billy Monger has revealed the heartwarming reason why he decided to take part in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special.

The racing driver and TV presenter, 25, will dance the American Smooth with professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova in a bid to win the festive Glitterball trophy.

And ahead of the special broadcast on Christmas Day, he has revealed he is dancing to thank the surgeon who helped save his life.

Billy was racing in Formula 4 in April 2017 when he crashed into the back of another driver at high speed, seriously injuring him and requiring both legs to be amputated.

Despite this, he refused to give up his racing career and lobbied for both disabled and non-disabled drivers to race side by side.

And he explained how he is doing. Strictly in honor of one of the medics who helped him with his recovery, Tom Rowlands and his wife Courtney.

The driver and TV presenter, 25, dances the American Smooth with professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova in a bid to win the festive Glitterball trophy (pictured)

Billy was racing in Formula 4 in April 2017 when he crashed into the back of another driver at high speed, seriously injuring him and requiring both legs to be amputated.

He told it The mirror: ‘Tom is one of many surgeons who took care of me when I needed it most. After my accident we kept in touch and they are part of my close network. His wife Courtney, who comes to the show, is a huge Strictly fan.

‘When I said I might do Strictly, she said, ‘You should do it. I came to Hawaii, so you should do it.’ She’s the person who made me think, ‘I have to do this.'”

Billy admitted that training for the show had been ‘challenging’ with his prosthetics, but credited partner Nadiya for helping to adapt their routine to suit him, calling her energy ‘contagious’.

And while it was hard work, he admitted that he enjoyed the process so much that he might even be tempted to make the main series.

Billy said: “The intensity and duration of the main show cannot be underestimated. But now that I’ve been in this world for a few weeks, part of me says, “I don’t want this to end.”

“I want it to continue and keep pushing the boundaries, trying new things and showing what’s possible for a double amputee to dance. I’m looking forward to it now, so I wouldn’t rule out doing the main show in the future.”

Speaking about his appearance in last month’s Christmas special, Billy admitted he was nervous as millions watched him dance.

He said: “I’m still working on it, but I’m excited. It’s a bit of fun.

And he explained how he is doing. Strictly in honor of one of the medics who helped him with his recovery, Tom Rowlands and his wife Courtney

Billy won the BBC Sports Personality Helen Rollason Award and had a BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary made about his story (pictured on SPOTY on Tuesday)

While he recently broke the world record for a double amputee at the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii – the world’s toughest endurance event (pictured)

“There’s a lot to learn, but I’m trying not to think about the fact that it’s going to be on national television on Christmas Day, and my whole family will definitely be watching it. I will look through my fingers.’

Billy won the BBC Sports Personality Helen Rollason Award and had a BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary made about his story.

He has also built a career as a presenter and expert on Channel 4’s coverage of Formula 1 and the Paralympic Games.

While he recently broke the world record for a double amputee at the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii – the toughest endurance event in the world.

Billy said: ‘I have been training twenty hours a week for the past twelve months for an Ironman world record attempt, but the thought of donning sequins for Craig Revel Horwood fills me with a fear I have never experienced before.

‘This is as far out of my comfort zone as it gets! My family are big fans of Strictly so I’m doing it for them and to raise awareness of what I’m doing for Comic Relief next year.”

Six couples will perform a festive routine in the hope of impressing the judges, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and head judge Shirley Ballas, and the voting studio audience

Billy will compete against comedian Josh Widdicombe, presenter Vogue Williams, EastEnders actress Tamzin Outhwaite, sprinter Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and drag queen Tayce in the special

Spice Girl Emma Bunton will also appear in the BBC1 show on Christmas Day, which airs at 3.55pm (pictured)

He joked, “I just hope my leg doesn’t fall off while I’m dancing!”

Six couples will perform a festive routine in the hope of impressing the judges, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and head judge Shirley Ballas, and the voting studio audience.

Billy will compete against comedian Josh Widdicombe, presenter Vogue Williams, EastEnders actress Tamzin Outhwaite, sprinter Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and drag queen Tayce in the special.

Spice Girl Emma Bunton will also appear in the BBC1 show on Christmas Day, which airs at 3.55pm.