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The British wife of deposed Syrian tyrant Bashar al-Assad has filed for divorce, say reports.

Asma al-Assad, 49, is currently exiled in Moscow with the former Damascus dictator but wants to move to London. The former first lady is reportedly dissatisfied with her life under guard of the Putin regime in Russia.

She has applied to a Russian court for permission to leave Russia for Britain, according to The Jerusalem Post, citing Turkish and Arab media reports.

Her application is currently being evaluated by the Russian authorities, according to the accounts. The former ruler and his family are believed to be under “severe restrictions” in Moscow, and he is barred from leaving the city or engaging in political activities.

His assets and money in Russia are reported to be frozen. He is said to have moved to Moscow around 270 kilograms of gold and £1.6 billion. He or his clan are believed to own dozens of apartments in the Russian capital.

The couple are believed to be under “severe restrictions” in Moscow ( 
Image:
AFP/Getty Images)
There has been so far no comment on the divorce reports from the Russian authorities or from al-Assad or his wife. Asma was born in London and was raised in London by Syrian parents. The family was offered a safe haven by Vladimir Putin who spirited the toppled president out of Syria 8 December shortly before his country fell into the hands of rebels.

Asma and the couple’s three children were already in Russia, where reports say she has been undergoing treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia, an aggressive form of blood and bone marrow cancer. One version is that she would prefer to be treated in the UK.

In Moscow, the Assad clan is linked to luxury properties in both the 990ft City of Capitals complex and the nearby 1,226ft Federation Tower. His extended family own dozens of properties here and elsewhere in Moscow, but it is believed the family now resides in official Russian government accommodation.

One week before al-Assad’s loss of power, the couple’s eldest son Hafez Bashar al-Assad, 23, had been in Russia defending his thesis at Moscow State University. His mother Asma, 49, had celebrated with him in Russia when he was awarded his degree at the same university last year.

Desperate families of detainees stranded in Dubai jail cells have been left without hope they will ever see their loved ones again as they face Christmas alone.

Six people – Albert Douglas, Marcus Fakana, Stuart Quiney, Maurice Kevin O’Rourke, Alma McCabe and Robert Dobbs – will spend the festive period locked away as they continue to fight to return to their home nations. Some of them, like Marcus Fakana, who was arrested following a consensual sexual encounter with a girl of his age during a Dubai holiday, have a rough idea on when their imprisonment might end.

Fakana, 18, from Tottenham, north London, has been unable to leave the country since September, and was sentenced to one year in prison after his relationship with a fellow Londoner – who is now 18 but was 17 at the time – was reported by the girl’s mum. The relationship would have been legal in the UK, but it wasn’t in Dubai, where officials legally restrict any sexual contact outside of marriage. The families of Albert Douglas and Maurice O’Rourke don’t even have potential release dates – and they have lost hope.

Pamela said her family likely won’t be doing anything for Christmas – until her husband returns ( 
Image:
Pamela O’Rourke)
Albert’s son, Wolfgang Douglas, and Maurice’s wife Pamela O’Rourke have told the Daily Mirror about their bids to free their loved ones, and how, in Mrs O’Rourke’s case, Christmas has been totally upended. Both families are receiving support from Detained in Dubai, a pressure group founded by UAE expert witness Radha Stirling.

Ms O’Rourke, 61, said her family’s home would be bare for Christmas this year as they wait for Maurice to return from Dubai, where he is being held for travelling with Cannabis products. Maurice, from Mississauga, Canada, was arrested in July this year after Dubai authorities discovered 100 grams of Cannabis products and 50 to 60 grams of CBD oil in his luggage on a stopover en route to South Africa.

Marcus’ is being held in Dubai
Maurice, who suffers from Addison’s disease – an adrenal gland disorder that makes him more susceptible to infections – was using them for pain management. They are legal in Canada, and his wife said he never had any intention of breaking the law. He was handed a life sentence after the products were found, an appeal hearing for which his family will have to attend on Christmas Day.

As well as having to attend the hearing – which will fall on Christmas Eve in Canada – the O’Rourke family Christmas has been completely upended by having their holiday driving force taken away. Mrs O’Rourke told The Mirror her family will be waiting to celebrate Christmas until Maurice returns.

Albert Douglas was detained in 2021
She said: “Normally our house would be decorated, Maurice would have put up all the lights. This year, truthfully, we’re going to wait and have Christmas when he’s home.” She added: “We haven’t really done anything…it just feels really hard.” Mrs O’Rourke said the family was shocked the appeal was scheduled for December 25, adding it meant they would spend much of the period waiting for updates from their lawyers.

She said Maurice’s loved ones are desperate for something to change regarding Maurice’s sentence on the day, but added that she has “given up hope”. While she continues to hang on some shreds of hope, she added: “I have to temper [my hope] because we have been hopeful so many times and that is almost harder.”

Mrs O’Rourke isn’t alone, as Wolfgang Douglas, the son of Albert Douglas, a business tycoon who once lived a life of luxury on Dubai’s Palm Islands, fears he may never see his father again. Albert, 61, was arrested in 2021 and ordered by the UAE to pay a massive £2.5 million fine due to debts amassed by his son’s company – with which he had no association.

Detained in Dubai states he was held over a bounced cheque he did not write, and claims he is being held in custody on a selection of trumped-up charges without a release date or official sentence. Wolfgang alleges his father was tortured while behind bars, and he was last year strangled with a phone cord by a crazed fellow inmate at the infamous Al Barsha prison.

There’s big trouble ahead for one longterm Coronation Street resident at the end of the year.

The new year could start off rather bleakly for Leanne Battersby, as she makes a decision that could cost her her freedom. Not only that, but her own quest for revenge could be thwarted by her own doing.

As a result, her revenge mission could come tumbling down, and she could be sent to prison as a result. An incriminating mistake could see the character regret her actions, and even push someone else to taking their own vengeance.

It all kicks off as Leanne’s plan against Nick Tilsley and her sister Toyah Battersby spirals. She wants revenge after their betrayal, with Leanne splitting from husband Nick after his affair with their sister.

After the fling, the pair secretly continued their new romance but they have no idea Leanne knows this. Leanne is hurt, and she wants them to suffer. While she initially moved back in with Nick and tried to rekindle their romance, she’s now trying to stop the pair spending time together.

Not only did she ruin their holiday plans, but she then set up a bank account in Toyah’s name before taking action. Upcoming scenes see Leanne continue to set up Toyah, moving money from the business account into the other account

There’s big trouble ahead for one longterm Coronation Street resident at the end of the year. ( 
Image:
ITV)
In looming episodes, Leanne’s full plan becomes clear as Nick and Toyah are accused of fraudulent activity. As both of them protest their innocence, it isn’t long before they suspect Leanne is behind it.

Nick decides the only way to prove this is to find evidence, knowing that otherwise he faces trouble with the law. But will Leanne really let her sister and ex go to prison?

It seems it won’t get that far, as Leanne makes an almighty error that could see her plan come crashing down. Not only that, but she could be sent to prison as her guilt is rumbled.

The big mistake sees her seemingly sending flirty texts to colleague Amy Barlow, pretending to be Nick. Amy is left startled by this and soon confronts her boss for his inappropriate actions.

But when Nick denies this is his doing, he realises Leanne could be framing him once more. He decides to scan CCTV footage and notices that Leanne appears to have two phones.

So Leanne is likely using this second phone to set up Nick. But can he prove this? It seems yes as in the episodes to follow she’s told she could be facing a custodial sentence…

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Fans can expect festive fun and some full-on drama on Coronation Street this Christmas Day.

Spoilers for the big episode have revealed sad scenes will air, as Gail Platt will bow out of the ITV soap for good. After 50 years in the role, actress Helen Worth is stepping away from the show and Christmas Day will be her final episode.

With some details about the episodes being kept under wraps, it remains to be seen whether she will get a happy ending. Elsewhere this Christmas Day, two residents find themselves in trouble with the law, as one character takes a brutal revenge.

This results in quite the catfight. There’s also a proposal amid a secret betrayal, and an affair prediction lands one character in danger. Here’s all you need to know about Christmas Day in Weatherfield…

Gail Platt leaves Coronation Street this Christmas ( 
Image:
ITV)

There’s drama, danger, bombshells and a proposal on Corrie this Christmas ( 
Image:
ITV)

Gail’s final episode

Gail Platt makes her exit from the ITV soap in this episode. it’s said to focus around the Platts and Gail, as she questions whether she can go through with her wedding to Jesse Chadwick.

Falling out with her family who do not approve of Jesse, Gail is unsure about her plans to move to France with him. But will she make it down the aisle, and will she and Jesse head off into the sunset?

It’ll be tears all round as we see Gail, and actress Helen, bid farewell to the street and her loved ones after five decades on the show. While we can’t reveal how she leaves and whether it’s a happy ending, we can confirm there’s a lot going on as the Platts gather for the wedding that may or may not go ahead.

Danger teased and bombshells

Adam Barlow could be left injured, as David Platt’s determination to uncover a truth leads to chaos. David suspects wife Shona Platt of cheating on him, and he believes Adam is the man in question.

Adam knocks back whisky, unaware David is drinking water. Soon Adam realises what’s gone on and there’s a row, with Adam tumbling down some steps, but will he be okay? Shona could be forced to reveal that she has cheated on David with Kit Green, with it teased bombshells go off all across the episode.

A proposal

Amidst the chaos, love seems to be in the air as Daniel Osbourne pops the question to girlfriend Bethany Platt. Of course she has no idea that he’s cheated on her with his ex Daisy Midgeley.

When Bethany senses Daniel is not himself and she fears he is no longer interested in her, Daniel declares his love for her and proposes on Christmas Day. But will she say yes, and how will Daisy react to the big news?

Violent showdown

There’s a catfight on the way as sisters Leanne and Toyah Battersby go to war over Nick Tilsley. Leanne has secretly been plotting revenge against ex Nick and sister Toyah after they continued their secret romance.

Leanne had just about gotten over their affair months ago, only to find out they had reunited in secret. Leanne has tried setting the pair up, framing Toyah for fraud and intending on dragging Nick into it too.

On the day of Nick’s mum Gail’s wedding, there’s chaos when the police show up and tell Nick and Toyah that they need to ask them some questions on a fraud allegation. As Kit shows Nick the account in question, Nick assures Kit he’s never seen it before – but is he in big trouble?

At the police station a row breaks out between Toyah and Leanne, and it soon escalates into a huge fight. Will the sisters be able to come back from this?

There’s big scenes on the way on EastEnders this Christmas Day, with more than one family facing drama.

The Christmas Day episode of the BBC soap is often chaotic and unmissable, and this year is no different. One big secret explodes, leaving two families in pieces.

Elsewhere, one character’s struggles become apparent, while there’s a love triangle teased – possibly two. A recent returnee causes trouble for one resident too, while the events of Christmas Day will span across two 30-minute episodes.

Kicking off at 7:30pm, the second part will air at the much later time of 10:35pm. So what can viewers expect? The answer is mayhem as Cindy Beale’s affair is exposed to Walford.

Cindy has been cheating on Ian Beale with Junior Knight, the son of her ex-husband George Knight. When the Beales and the Knights sit down for Christmas dinner on the 25th, all hell breaks loose as the truth is revealed in chaotic fashion.

The spoiler line reads: “Secrets and lies are set to throw a wrecking ball into the Beale family festivities this year as the shocking truth about Cindy is revealed in spectacular fashion.” As the families reel over events, they end up turning on each other.

There’s big scenes on the way on EastEnders this Christmas Day ( 
Image:
BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Elsewhere, and there’s concern for Phil Mitchell as he continues to isolate himself from his loved ones. With a loneliness and depression storyline reported for the soap icon, we’ll see him struggling this festive period.

As his ex and close friend Sharon Watts heads to his home on Christmas Day, she realises he’s not himself. She wants to give him a present from their son Albie, and soon she is left worried for him.

When Phil joins his extended family for a meal for Christmas Day, he quickly leaves after spotting Sharon getting cosy with Teddy Mitchell. Also in Walford this Christmas, Stacey Slater is annoyed when Ruby Allen arrives at the house to join in with the Slaters’ Christmas meal.

Also this Christmas we will see a love triangle seemingly forming, with Denise Fox torn between two men. After splitting from her husband Jack Branning, she will realise she still has feelings for him this festive period.

But after a moment with former flame Ravi Gulati, Denise clearly has feelings for him too, and Ravi shares those feelings. So who will Denise choose, and which Walford man will be left heartbroken?

Loose Women’s Ruth Langsford left This Morning host Alison Hammond stunned on Monday with a new look during the ITV chat show crossover

Loose Women’s Ruth Langsford debuted a new look on Monday’s show, leaving her ITV co-stars stunned.

During Monday’s episode of This Morning, hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary went over to the Loose Women studio to see what was coming up.

After sharing the day’s line-up, which included former Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt, Alison, 49, was quick to mention: “I love your hair as well, I feel like you’ve taken a leaf out of my book today!” as she complimented Ruth’s seemingly longer and wavy locks, which was similar to her own hairdo.

To which a flattered Ruth, 64, replied: “Well, Alison, I did see you this morning and thought: ‘I need a bit of that, I need a bit of Alison in my life!’” It comes as Ruth recently revealed she was left struggling with her smart television last month.

Loose Women’s Ruth Langsford debuted a new look on Monday’s show, leaving her ITV co-stars stunned

As the panel reflected nostalgically on Ceefax’s would-be 50th anniversary, they turned to the topic of modern televisions and their own experiences with smart technology.

This discussion led Ruth to share her own frustrations as she revealed: “Mine actually went off, horror, went to turn on to watch Strictly and it said: ‘You are currently not connected to something box.’”

She recounted the hassle of having to call her son Jack, 22, for help, saying: “I ended up having to phone Jack, who was out and not best pleased as you can imagine – had to get him to talk me through to go up to the other box by our loft.

“Turn it on and off, wait five minutes, wait for green light, I was like: ‘Good Lord! Can’t I just have this!’” she added, holding up a traditional TV remote to her fellow co-stars and the live audience.

Ruth and Eamonn, who tied the knot in 2010, announced their split earlier this year ( 
Image:
Mike Marsland/WireImage)
It comes as Ruth has kept a graceful silence since the news broke that she and GB News presenter Eamonn Holmes, her partner since 1996, were going their separate ways.

Ruth and Eamonn, who tied the knot in 2010 and share son Jack, 22, were thought to have one of the safest marriages in showbiz, and the couple stunned fans when they confirmed they would be divorcing back in May.

While Ruth has chosen not to publicly discuss the breakdown of her marriage, Eamonn has been open about his feelings during their separation. At the TRIC Awards in June, he expressed his heartache to The Mirror, saying: “I’m not okay. This is not a good time at all,” and added, “It’s too early to say, but I hope we can still be friends.”

Loose Women’s Janet Street-Porter admitted she was ‘sick with jealousy’ on Wednesday’s show as co-star Denise Welch revealed an exciting career milestone

Janet Street-Porter admitted she was ‘sick with jealousy’ as Denise Welch made an exciting announcement on Wednesday’s Loose Women.

During the latest instalment, Denise, 66, revealed that she would be appearing in an upcoming episode of Emmerdale, which means she has now appeared in all four of the soaps.

Soap watchers will recall that Denise played Natalie Barnes in Corrie from 1997 to 2000, Alison Slater in EastEnders in 2016, Trish Minniver in Hollyoaks from 2021 to 2022 and now a character called Heidi in an upcoming Emmerdale episode.

Denise’s co-stars were left delighted over her milestone with host Ruth Langsford even handing her a mini trophy. However, one person who wasn’t impressed was Janet, 77, who admitted she was ‘sick with jealousy’.

Janet Street-Porter admitted she was ‘sick with jealousy’ as Denise Welch made an exciting announcement on Wednesday’s Loose Women

Ruth joked: “You should have seen Janet’s face, she was like this!” as she mimicked her co-star to which Janet responded with all the soaps she has been in, revealing she has had roles in Neighbours, Hollyoaks and Benidorm, as well as attempting to land a part in Casualty.

However, Denise quickly pointed out: “Benidorm is not a soap! A soap is a continuing drama not if it’s a different series” to which a fiery Janet replied: “Oh you nitpicker, you nitpicker!” Getting the final word in Denise quipped: “I’ve also been in Benidorm so there you go!”

Defusing the situation, Ruth joked: “This is like soaps Top Trumps!” to which Denise pointed out: “Janet’s not even an actress so why would she want to be in them?”

Elsewhere, Denise teased her upcoming Emmerdale role, saying: “I’m going to be in Emmerdale but, I say but, it’s not a but – but it’s a one-off hour-long special.

Denise, 66, revealed that she would be appearing in an upcoming episode of Emmerdale, which means she has now appeared in all four of the soaps ( 
Image:
ITV)
“It’s the first time Emmerdale have ever done it, for those of you who are fans of Emmerdale, there has been a very powerful year-long story of domestic abuse which of course appealed to me when I knew I’d be part of it because of our Facing It Together campaign.

“This is the culmination of that story so the episode takes place exclusively between the court and the jury. I am one of the heads of the jury, called Heidi, obviously I can’t say what the outcome is but it’s a very powerful episode and some of the lines are taken from true cases.

“Refuge have seen it and they’re thrilled with how it’s being depicted! It was incredible to be a part of it”, adding that the episode will air later in December.

James Corden and Ruth Jones created Gavin and Stacey, and while the Christmas special has been presented as a final goodbye to the BBC show the duo revealed they have even more in store

Gavin and Stacey will return on Christmas Day, four years after the series came to a close in 2019.

Many of the BBC cast and crew have suggested that the festive special is a one-off, and that fans shouldn’t hold hope of a proper renewal. While the news is bittersweet, show creators Ruth Jones, 58, and James Corden, 46, have shared that they do have something more up their sleeves before leaving Gavin and Stacey in the past for good.

The talented comedians have joined together to write a novel, ‘When Gavin Met Stacey and Everything in Between: A Story Of Love And Friendship,’ which will be released in autumn 2025. The book will reveal how Ruth and James turned their sitcom idea into such a beloved show, and will also feature never-before-heard gossip and secret insights from behind the scenes.

“We’re so excited to be sharing the story behind the story of Gavin and Stacey,” the duo announced, according to OK! They added: “The show has played a huge part in our twenty-five-year friendship and we hope this book will give readers a fresh insight into how it all came about.”

The Gavin and Stacey co-creators have written a book together revealing all of the secrets behind the show, and it’s set to be released next year

This week, actor Adrian Scarborough – who plays Pete on the show – seemed to pretty much confirm that the Christmas special will be the final episode of Gavin and Stacey. Speaking about the odds of a return on the Off the Telly podcast, he spilled: “I like what they put at the end of the script – ‘The End, forever and ever. Amen.’ Also, I think it’s really, really brave to finish things because often I just think things go on a little bit too long.”

He added: “And I think with this, the best thing they could have done was just go, ‘We’ve got an ending.’ Endings are good, moving on and moving onto new projects, which hopefully we’ll all be in.”

While Adrian’s firm words may have made the end of Gavin and Stacey seem absolute, fellow actor Larry Lamb – who plays Mick Shipman – revealed that there would still be plenty of surprises on Christmas Day. He divulged: “For all the people who have been watching religiously since the show started, you’ve got a trip coming up, I’ll tell you that!

“Everybody is going to get flipped and flipped again because it’s so, so clever, what Ruth and James have done. Having spent a year keeping it all a secret, my big buzz will be watching my family watch it and seeing their reactions.”

Larry hinted that there’ll be some things in store that we could never expect – but the BBC has made some elements of the plot clear. The broadcaster revealed that the upcoming episode will pick up five years on from the last Christmas special, which ended on a cliffhanger and left viewers reeling as Nessa (played by Ruth) proposed to Smithy (played by James).

The BBC teased: “It’s five years since we left Nessa down on one knee declaring her love for Smithy and asking him to marry her. And a lot has happened in those five years.”

Bruce Forsyth hosted Strictly Come Dancing for 10 years from 2004, leaving the show just three years before he tragically passed away, surrounded by his devoted family

Former Strictly presenter Sir Bruce Forsyth made a sweet promise to his heartbroken wife, weeks before he died, aged 89.

The TV legend’s career spanned an incredible 75 years, with the national treasure the host of some of the UK’s best known game shows, including The Generation Game and Bruce’s Price is Right. When he fell ill in 2017, his wife of 35 years Wilnelia Merced was devastated at the thought of being left without the love of her life.

Bruce featured in the Strictly Come Dancing anniversary special 20 Fabulous Years, which was shown on Saturday night. The late entertainer the host of the BBC dance show from the first series in 2004 until 2014, with his presenting becoming a huge part of the competition for many fans.

Bruce, who was 29 years her senior, first met Wilnelia when she was aged 23, and he 51. But the age gap didn’t matter to the pair, with Wilnelia describing him as “the perfect partner. A friend, a lover, someone I could trust, respect and admire.”

Bruce presented Strictly for 10 years ( 
Image:
Redferns)

Speaking about his final weeks, before he tragically passed away from bronchopneumonia, she said she had realised his life was coming to an end. Speaking to the Mail, she said for two weeks before his death, “he was not well”. She added that she cancelled a meeting when she saw that “for the first time”, he couldn’t get out of bed.

Wilnelia recalled: “I said to him, ‘what am I going to do without you? I don’t even know how to use this television remote control.’ I’d bought him a huge, new television so he could watch his sport.

“He said ‘Really? The control?’ He was showing me how to use it and I said, ‘how am I going to live without you? How am I going to make decisions? He said ‘don’t worry I’ll be here. Every time you see a rainbow you’ll think of me and you’ll know what to do.”

Since his heartbreaking promise, and after he passed away, she has noticed rainbows more often, taking it as a sign that Bruce is always watching over her. She said that even a few hours after he died, surrounded by his five daughters, son and wife, a rainbow filled the sky, with Wilnelia taking a photo on her phone to keep forever.

She said how in her home country of Puerto Rico, the couple have a villa that looks out onto the Atlantic Ocean. With the climate meaning it rains before “glorious” sunshine returns, they would often see rainbows from their window. Wilnelia wonders if this is why Bruce mentioned them on his deathbed.

She added that she “wants to believe” that it’s him, explaining that in grief, the bereaved want to “grab anything that is there to make you feel good”. But Wilnelia has taken it as a sign that Bruce is look out for her whenever she sees one.

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.