Celebrity Race Across the World star Billy Monger has been announced as the sixth celebrity to join the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special 2024 line-up.
The Ballroom will once again be transformed into a magical winter wonderland, and the final celebrity behind this year's all-star advent calendar doors was unveiled on Strictly: It Takes Two on Thursday (November 21) evening.
The British racing driver will team up with Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova in a bid to clinch the coveted Glitterball trophy.
Billy has achieved podium finishes in British Formula 3 and followed in Lewis Hamilton's tracks by winning the Pau Grand Prix in European Formula 3.
He suffered critical injuries in a high-speed crash while competing in Formula 4, which resulted in the amputation of both his legs. Despite this setback, Billy refused to abandon his racing career, campaigning for disabled and non-disabled drivers to compete alongside each other, reports the Mirror.
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Billy is a recipient of the BBC Sports Personality Helen Rollason Award and was the subject of a BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary about his journey. He also works as a presenter and pundit on Channel 4's coverage of Formula One and the Paralympics. Recently, he set a new world record for a double amputee at the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii - considered the most gruelling endurance event in the world. A BBC documentary about this feat is currently in production.
Commenting on his new adventure alongside the dazzling cast, Billy revealed: "I've spent the last 12 months training 20 hours a week for an Ironman world record attempt, but the thought of donning sequins in front of Craig Revel Horwood fills me with a fear I've never experienced before."
"This is about as far from my comfort zone as it can get! My family are big Strictly fans, so I'm doing it for them and to raise awareness for what I'm doing for Comic Relief next year. I'm just hoping my leg doesn't fall off mid-dance!".
The buzz was palpable across social media following the revelation, with one supporter tweeting: "Loved Billy Monger on Race Across the World - can't wait to see him with Nadiya at Christmas! #Strictly #ItTakesTwo." Another fan declared: "Billy Monger to win that! Get in the boy! #StrictlyComeDancing." while a third voiced their enthusiasm: "Billy Monger on strictly omg."
Billy and his dance partner Nadiya will be sharing the spotlight with an array of celebrities including Josh Widdicombe and Karen Hauer, Tayce and Kai Widdrington, Vogue Williams and Carols Gu, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey with Nancy Xu, and Tamzin Outhwaite partnering with Nikita Kuzmin.
Eager to dazzle the judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Head Judge Shirley Ballas, alongside swaying the studio audience's votes, the six duos will present holiday-themed dances in the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special. The question remains: who will twinkle brightest on the night, securing the coveted Christmas trophy?
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Christmas Day
