Billy Monger has revealed the touching 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 in the run-up to the Christmas Day special broadcast, she revealed she is dancing to thank the surgeon who helped save her life.
Billy was competing in Formula 4 in April 2017 when he crashed at high speed into another driver, leaving him seriously injured and needing both legs amputated.
Despite this, he refused to give up his racing career and lobbied for both disabled and non-disabled drivers to be allowed to compete together.
And he explained how he is on Strictly in honor of one of the doctors who helped him in his recovery, Tom Rowlands and his wife Courtney.
Billy Monger has revealed the touching reason why he decided to take part in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special (pictured this month).
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 (pictured).
Billy was competing in Formula 4 in April 2017 when he crashed at high speed into another driver, leaving him seriously injured and needing both legs amputated.
he said The mirror: ‘Tom is one of the many surgeons who helped me when I needed it most. After my accident, we stayed in touch and they are part of my close network of people. His wife Courtney, who is coming to the show, is a huge Strictly fan.
“When I told her I might be doing Strictly, she said: ‘You have to do it. I’ve come to Hawaii, so you have to 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 his partner Nadiya for helping modify his routine to suit him, calling her energy “infectious”.
And despite it being hard work, he admitted that he enjoyed the process so much that he would even be tempted to do the main series.
Billy said: ‘The intensity and length of the main show cannot be underestimated. But now that I’ve been in this world for a few weeks, a part of me says, “I don’t want this to end.”
‘I want this to continue and keep pushing the limits and trying new things and showing what is possible for a double amputee dancer. “I’m invested now, so I wouldn’t rule out doing the main show in the future.”
Speaking about appearing on the Christmas special last month, Billy admitted he was nervous when millions watched him dance.
He said: “I’m still thinking about it, but I’m excited.” It’s a little fun.
And he explained how he is on Strictly in honor of one of the doctors who helped him in his recovery, Tom Rowlands and his wife Courtney.
Billy won the Helen Rollason BBC Sports Personality Award and made a BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary about his story (pictured by SPOTY on Tuesday)
He recently broke the world record for a double amputee at the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii, the toughest endurance event in the world (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’ll be watching through my fingers.
Billy won the BBC Helen Rollason Sports Personality Award and made a BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary about his story.
He has also developed a career as a presenter and expert on Channel 4’s coverage of Formula One 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’ve spent the last 12 months training 20 hours a week to try and break the Ironman world record, but the thought of putting on sequins in front of Craig Revel Horwood fills me with a fear I’ve never experienced before.”
‘This is as far from my comfort zone as possible! My family are big Strictly fans so I’m doing it for them and to raise awareness of what I’ll be doing for Comic Relief next year.
Six couples will perform a festive routine hoping to impress the judges – Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and head judge Shirley Ballas – and the voting studio audience.
Billy will take on comedian Josh Widdicombe, Vogue presenter Williams, EastEnders actress Tamzin Outhwaite, sprinter Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and drag queen Tayce in the special.
Spice Girl Emma Bunton will also perform on the BBC1 show on Christmas Day, which will air at 3.55pm (pictured)
He joked: ‘I just hope my leg doesn’t fall off mid-dance!’
Six couples will perform a festive routine hoping to impress the judges – Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and head judge Shirley Ballas – and the voting studio audience.
Billy will face comedian Josh Widdicombe, Vogue presenter Williams, EastEnders actress Tamzin Outhwaite, sprinter Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and drag queen Tayce in the special.
Spice Girl Emma Bunton will also perform on the BBC1 show on Christmas Day, which will air at 3.55pm.