Tayce Szura-Radix, the first drag queen to appear on Strictly’s Christmas Special, reflects on overcoming childhood bullying and dedicates his performance to his supportive family

Drag queen Tayce Szura-Radix says appearing in the Strictly Christmas Special is one in the eye to all those who ­bullied or attacked him when he was growing up.

The former star of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK says that he is delighted to be the first drag queen to take part in the hit BBC1 show, and is dedicating his ­Cha-cha-cha to his supportive family.

He said: “My mum and dad are going to be there. They’ve been my avid supporters since day dot. So for them to watch me grow up in Newport [South Wales], where I have been maybe bullied, kind of harassed, been spat on when I was young for walking around in crazy outfits, to now me being on a ­prestigious show like this, it’s kind of a big, ‘Ha ha ha to you’, to the people that kind of doubted me. For my parents, who have seen me grow up in the face of adversity, to now watching me film on a show like this, it is full circle. So I am very proud of that.”

Tayce, 30, says he knew his appearance on the show would cause controversy but is fine with that ( 
Image:
Getty Images)

Tayce will perform as his alter ego, also Tayce ( 
Image:
BBC/World of Wonder/Ray Burmiston)
Tayce, 30, says he knew his appearance on the show would cause controversy but is fine with that. He added: “A part of me loves it. If you are a bit angry and offended, I am probably doing something right. I was always faced with loving parents and they always said, as long as you’re not hurting anybody and you’re doing what you love, there’s nothing more I can ask for and I’m doing just that.

He added: “I’m not a rude person, I’m respectful. I might look a certain way, and if you can’t handle it, that’s your problem.These things have to happen to make change. So I’m happy to be at the ­forefront of that. I think there’s going to be a lot of pressure on me with that as well, but I like pressure. It makes you work harder.”

Tayce is hoping some people might be won over after watching him work hard and perform well as his alter ego, also Tayce. He said: “I hope people would maybe change their tune a little bit once they see me on the night. From my It Takes Two interview, I think there was a backlash with people being like, ‘Oh, it’s a man’, or, ‘They’re taking up a woman’s space’.

“But there’s been drag in the UK, in our culture, for years. There’s been Lily Savage and other drag queens – I think some people honestly just have a bit of a complex themselves, because I look hot. And they can’t take it.”

He and dance partner Kai Widdrington will perform a “fiery, passionate, energetic, charismatic” Cha-cha-cha to Kylie and Dannii Minogue’s 100 Degrees. And Tayce says the makeup ­department were given a night off when it came to him.

He added: “I don’t let anyone touch my face! I like to be particular about my skin and the base, starting off from blocking the beard. I am a man at the end of the day. I can’t just put on a little BB cream.”

Having worked as a dancer, Tayce is hoping to lift the trophy.“I have come to prove myself,” he says. “I’ve been a dancer before, but I’ve never done ballroom or Latin. I’m a street, hip-hop dancer.” He says Kai was an excellent partner. “We got on like a house on fire. It helps I’m light because he can really throw me around.”

Kai, 29, adds he felt “very, very lucky” with his partner, saying: “It’s not because Tayce is the first drag queen – Tayce is just an amazing person to work with. He’s so hard-working – it’s been a ­privilege. We’ve had a laugh and worked our socks off.

“I think it’s fantastic Tayce is the flagbearer for the drag community and long may that continue.” The pair will go all out to lift the gong on the festive special. “The dance is camp as Christmas,” Kai laughs. “It’s a lot of fun with a bit of a Christmas cracker at the end.”

Tayce agrees it will bring viewers Christmas cheer after they have finished their big turkey dinner. He added: “They’ll have their main meal and baby, we’re the dessert.”

Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, BBC1, 3.55pm, Christmas Day.

Tayce, 30, says he knew his appearance on the show would cause controversy but is fine with that ( 
Image:
Getty Images)

Tayce will perform as his alter ego, also Tayce ( 
Image:
BBC/World of Wonder/Ray Burmiston)
Tayce, 30, says he knew his appearance on the show would cause controversy but is fine with that. He added: “A part of me loves it. If you are a bit angry and offended, I am probably doing something right. I was always faced with loving parents and they always said, as long as you’re not hurting anybody and you’re doing what you love, there’s nothing more I can ask for and I’m doing just that.

He added: “I’m not a rude person, I’m respectful. I might look a certain way, and if you can’t handle it, that’s your problem.These things have to happen to make change. So I’m happy to be at the ­forefront of that. I think there’s going to be a lot of pressure on me with that as well, but I like pressure. It makes you work harder.”

Tayce is hoping some people might be won over after watching him work hard and perform well as his alter ego, also Tayce. He said: “I hope people would maybe change their tune a little bit once they see me on the night. From my It Takes Two interview, I think there was a backlash with people being like, ‘Oh, it’s a man’, or, ‘They’re taking up a woman’s space’.

“But there’s been drag in the UK, in our culture, for years. There’s been Lily Savage and other drag queens – I think some people honestly just have a bit of a complex themselves, because I look hot. And they can’t take it.”

He and dance partner Kai Widdrington will perform a “fiery, passionate, energetic, charismatic” Cha-cha-cha to Kylie and Dannii Minogue’s 100 Degrees. And Tayce says the makeup ­department were given a night off when it came to him.

He added: “I don’t let anyone touch my face! I like to be particular about my skin and the base, starting off from blocking the beard. I am a man at the end of the day. I can’t just put on a little BB cream.”

Having worked as a dancer, Tayce is hoping to lift the trophy.“I have come to prove myself,” he says. “I’ve been a dancer before, but I’ve never done ballroom or Latin. I’m a street, hip-hop dancer.” He says Kai was an excellent partner. “We got on like a house on fire. It helps I’m light because he can really throw me around.”

Kai, 29, adds he felt “very, very lucky” with his partner, saying: “It’s not because Tayce is the first drag queen – Tayce is just an amazing person to work with. He’s so hard-working – it’s been a ­privilege. We’ve had a laugh and worked our socks off.

“I think it’s fantastic Tayce is the flagbearer for the drag community and long may that continue.” The pair will go all out to lift the gong on the festive special. “The dance is camp as Christmas,” Kai laughs. “It’s a lot of fun with a bit of a Christmas cracker at the end.”

Tayce agrees it will bring viewers Christmas cheer after they have finished their big turkey dinner. He added: “They’ll have their main meal and baby, we’re the dessert.”

Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, BBC1, 3.55pm, Christmas Day.