RuPaul’s Drag Race star Tayce Szura-Radix has revealed she suffered online abuse following her ‘controversial’ appearance on the line-up of Strictly’s upcoming Christmas special.
The 30-year-old Welsh performer has made history as the first ever drag queen contestant on the BBC show and will put her best foot forward alongside pro partner Kai Widdrington, 29.
Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, defiant Tayce said the response had only spurred her on and joked that many haters were just jealous because she was ‘too hot’.
“I’ve seen hate, I’ve seen it’s controversial, it’s provocative, but that’s all I am. I wouldn’t change that for the world.”
‘I think there was a lot of reaction from people saying, “Oh, it’s the man or they’re taking up a woman’s space” and things like that. I think some people honestly just have a bit of a complex because I look good and they can’t stand it. It’s true.’
She continued, “If you’re a little angry and offended, I’m probably doing something right. Ultimately, I grew up with good, loving parents. And they always said, as long as you don’t hurt anyone and you do what you love, I can’t ask for anything more.’
‘I’m a good person. I am respectful. I may look a certain way. If you can’t deal with that, that’s your problem. And all the hate I get online. There will be hatred and more. So bring it on. It will make me dance harder.”
RuPaul’s Drag Race star Tayce has revealed she has received online abuse following her ‘controversial’ appearance on the line-up of Strictly’s upcoming Christmas special
The Welsh performer, 30, has made history as the first ever drag queen contestant on the BBC show and will put her best foot forward alongside pro partner Kai Widdrington, 29.
Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, a defiant Tayce said the response had only spurred her on and joked that many haters were just jealous because she was ‘too hot’.
When asked how she felt about being Strictly’s first drag contestant, Tayce said: “It feels right, pushing boundaries, pushing the envelope.”
‘I’m here to make it clear. I think there will be a lot of pressure on me too. But I like pressure, it makes you work harder.’
Meanwhile, partner Kai added: “Dancing is about dancing. It’s not a man, woman or whatever they want to be. It doesn’t bother me. Tayce will tell you that we get along like a house on fire.
Before adding, “I love that Tayce is the standard bearer for the drag community.”
The couple will perform a Cha Cha Cha to Kylie and Danni Minogue’s hit 100 Dregrees, pitting themselves against comedian Josh Widdicombe, actress Tamzin Outhwaite, Irish presenter Vogue Williams, Gladiator Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and F1 driver Billy Monger.
Funnyman Josh, 41 dresses up as a penguin to dance a Charleston to Let It Snow with a professional Karen Hauer42.
He told The Mail on Sunday: “There is a lot of joy. We are penguins, there is a skateboard and a slide, there is a fish in my mouth. It’s quite a thoughtful piece and if you look closely, it’s about the state of the world in 2024.”
Ahead of the taping, the television personality fears accidents could happen during his comedy routine.
He said: ‘It won’t be easy because you’re thinking of the worst that could happen, like hitting Karen as she flies through the air on national television on Christmas Day.
She said: ‘I think there was a lot of backlash from people saying ‘oh, it’s the man or they’re taking up a woman’s space’ and things like that. I think some people just have a bit of a complex to be honest.”
When asked how she felt about being Strictly’s first drag contestant, Tayce said: “It feels right, pushing boundaries, pushing boundaries, baby
Meanwhile, partner Kai added: “Dancing is about dancing. It’s not a man, woman or whatever they want to be. It doesn’t bother me. Tayce will tell you that we get along like a house on fire
‘Or fall on your ass. Then you have to overcome those fears. It wasn’t easy. Anyone who says it’s easy doesn’t really think about everything that can go wrong physically.’
The Last Leg presenter said he entered the dance competition because his seven-year-old daughter Pearl is a big fan and they will watch it as a family.
He also said he introduced her to Karen. He said: ‘She was so excited. She kept talking about her. She wrote her a Christmas card with four dogs on it, because Karen has four dogs.”
Jish also paid tribute to comedian Chris McCausland who won the series earlier this month.
He said: ‘What a guy, what an incredible human being. Let us not patronize him by saying he is heroic; he is a very good dancer and that should not be lost on the fact that he does something great because he is blind.
‘He has really great dancing skills. That must not be lost.’
He revealed Chis was not convinced he would do well on the BBC dance show.
The comic said: ‘I haven’t seen Chris in real life since he appeared at Last Leg in Paris in August.
“He had only just started pre-training and he said, ‘Oh God, I’m going out in the first week, I’m going to be damned.’ I thought yes, but he looks like a different shape now.
Josh Widdicombe has revealed he is transforming into a penguin to take part in the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, with the comic taking to the floor alongside pro Karen Hauer
The Last Leg host said he entered the dance competition because his seven-year-old daughter Pearl is a big fan and they will watch it as a family.
He also paid tribute to comedian Chris McCausland, who won the series earlier this month (pictured with his professional partner Dianne Buswell)
‘The amount of exercise this is is crazy so we haven’t been training every day, we’ve been training once or twice a week for a month but this is the fittest I’ve ever been and I’m devastated it’s getting followed by Christmas, because all the hard work will immediately be undone.”
When asked if he would like to return to take part in the main show, he ruled himself out as he will be on his nationwide stand-up tour.
He added: ‘If the tour sells well enough I won’t be able to do it again the following year either, but if it doesn’t I’ll continue strictly to try and sell another tour.’
The special, hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, airs on Christmas Day at 3.55pm.