Chris Appleton said having his family in the UK makes his Strictly Come Dancing run feel more meaningful, with Chris Appleton children and the wider family support network becoming part of the story around his debut. The celebrity hairdresser said the move onto the One dance floor feels less like a career detour than a return to his roots.
Appleton said, “Being from the UK, there’s something really special about taking part in such an iconic British show - it genuinely feels like coming home to my roots.” He added, “Having my family here as well makes it even more meaningful, because they’re so excited to support me throughout the whole journey. I can’t wait to be in London and head back home to Leicester too.”
Kim Kardashian’s flowers and score
At the WellChild Awards red carpet, Appleton said Kim Kardashian sent him “a beautiful arrangement of flowers” and had been asking how he was getting on. Amy Dowden then added a complication to the picture: Kardashian watched him dance and gave him a two. Appleton’s reply was blunt arithmetic — “she scored me an eight and eight, and two equals 10, so I’m going to take it as a 10.”
Why Strictly felt right
Appleton said, “I have friends who’ve taken part in Dancing with the Stars in the US, but for me, Strictly felt like the right fit.” That makes this more than a celebrity side project. He is framing the show as the UK move that fits his life now, not simply another credit on a long list of high-profile styling work that has already included Ariana Grande, Jennifer Lopez and Christina Aguilera.
From Leicester to One
Appleton said he is from Leicester and hopes to come away having learned “a completely new skill” and with memories that “will stay with me forever.” The next checkpoint is already set: Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday 26 September on One and iPlayer. For Appleton, the story is not just whether he can dance; it is whether a UK return built around family, home and routine can translate into something lasting on screen.
