Christmas Strictly star Billy Monger quit BBC show amid family emergency

Former racing driver Billy Monger is taking to the Strictly dancefloor as part of the BBC show's Christmas special.

The 25-year-old signed up for the special episode earlier this year and will now take on comedian Josh Widdicombe, drag artist Tayce, presenter Vogue Williams, Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and actor Tamsin Outhwaite in the hope of lifting the Christmas Glitterball trophy.

Monger is no stranger to a challenge, having overcome significant adversity in the wake of a near-fatal crash just weeks before his 18th birthday, which left him critically injured. Following the high-speed accident, which happened during a Formula 4 race at Donnington, the teenager had both legs amputated.

However, he refused to let it hold him back and he made his return to the track to test a car just three months later. Monger then decided to compete in a Formula 3 race the following year, and successfully lobbied for the governing body, the FIA, to lift its ban on disabled drivers racing single seater cars to allow him and others to compete alongside non-disabled drivers.

His inspiring bravery saw him win the Helen Rollason Award at BBC Sports Personality of the Year, while a documentary about his accident and racing comeback was also nominated fo a BAFTA. Monger has since moved into presenting and punditry, working on Channel 4's coverage of Formula One and the Paralympics in Paris.

Strictly won't be the first BBC show the former racing ace has competed in either, having taken part in Celebrity Race Across the World last year. Alongside his sister Bonny, Monger competed against Good Morning Britain weatherman Alex Beresford and his dad, McFly drummer Harry Judd and his mum and All Saints star Melanie Blatt and her mum as they raced through 24 countries from Morocco to Norway.

However, the Mongers' race was cut short as they pulled out of the show in the final episode due to a family emergency, having been leading the other celebrities. In the opening scenes of the episode, the other contestants received a letter from the siblings that said: “Dear guys, we’re sorry to say a family emergency has meant we’ve decided to leave the race. Wishing you all the best and good luck! Catch you all back on home soil.”

“Unfortunately we had a family emergency back in the UK and so me and Bon have decided to leave the race before the last leg," Monger added. "We’re obviously gutted, we felt like we were growing into the race. It is sad to be leaving the race but you know, family comes first. It’s a shame but I think it’s for the best.”

After arriving back in the UK, Monger gave more details about why they had left, writing on social media: "Bon and I were gutted to have to leave the race. A close family member had a bad accident so we had to get home. Thankfully all okay now. We loved the journey!”