Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey has admitted it was nice to swap his sports kit for ‘glitter and sequins’ during Strictly Come Dancing’s Christmas special.

The athlete, 34, whose known to TV fans as Nitro, slipped his muscular physique into a very skimpy and sparkly outfit for the show while taking to the dance floor with pro  Nancy Xu, 33.

In first look snaps ahead of the festive special, which airs on Christmas Day, Harry showcases his bulging biceps as he lifts his partner high above his head.

The hunk looks every inch the Strictly star in the singlet which boasted mirrored embellishments, sequins and a large H for Harry.

Ahead of the show he told The Mirror: ‘I’ve got quite a few different outfits, it’s nice to be able to wear some glitter or some sequins. The team in wardrobe are like mechanics’.

However Harry’s appearance has not been plain sailing after her suffered an injury shortly before rehearsals began which effected his training.

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Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey has admitted it was nice to swap his sports kit for ‘glitter and sequins’ during Strictly Come Dancing’s Christmas special

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The athlete, 34, whose known to TV fans as Nitro, slipped his muscular physique into a very skimpy and sparkly bodysuit for the show while taking to the dance floor with pro Nancy Xu

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Harry pictured as Nitro on Gladiators

Nancy revealed: ‘Before this guy came into the show, we did a full check to make sure he’s OK. Injury will always be in my consideration’.

‘We just try everything together and see what we can do what we can’t do an balance is everything. I have someone willing to give me everything, that’s all I am hoping for’.

The pair will be going head to head with comedian Josh Widdicombe, actress Tamzin Outhwaite, Irish presenter Vogue Williams, F1 driver Billy Monger and Drag Race star Tayce Szura-Radix.

It come after Tayce revealed she’s received online abuse following her ‘controversial’ appearance in the line-up.

The Welsh performer, 30, has made history as the BBC show’s first ever drag queen contestant and will strut her stuff alongside pro partner Kai Widdrington, 29.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline a defiant Tayce said the backlash had only spurred her on and quipped many haters were simply jealous of her being ‘too hot’.

‘I’ve seen hate, I’ve seen it’s controversial, it’s provocative but that’s all the things that I am I wouldn’t change that for the world,’

‘I think there was a lot of backlash from people being like “oh, it’s the man or they’re taking up a woman’s space” and things like that. I think some people honestly just have a bit of a complex because I look hot and they can’t take it. It’s true.’

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In first look snaps ahead of the festive special, which airs on Christmas Day, Harry showcases his bulging biceps as he lifts his partner high above his head

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View gallery

. The hunk looks every inch the Strictly star in the singlet which mirrored embellishments, sequins and a large H for Harry

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View gallery

Ahead of the show he said: ‘I’ve got quite a few different outfits, it’s nice to be able to wear some glitter or some sequins. The team in wardrobe are like mechanics’

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View gallery

However Harry’s appearance has not been plain sailing after her suffered an injury shortly before rehearsals began which effected his training

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View gallery

The pair will be going head to head with comedian Josh Widdicombe, actress Tamzin Outhwaite, Irish presenter Vogue Williams, F1 driver Billy Monger and Drag Race star Tayce

She went on: ‘If you’re a bit angry and offended, I’m probably doing something right. At the end of the day, I was raised with good loving parents. And they always said, as long as you’re not hurting anybody and doing what you love there’s nothing more I can ask for’.

‘I’m a good person. I’m respectful. I might look a certain way. If you can’t handle that, that’s your problem. And any hate that I get online. There’s going to hate and more. So bring it on. It’s going to make me dance harder’.

Asked how she felt to be Strictly’s first drag contestant Tayce said: ‘It feels correct, pushing boundaries, pushing the envelope baby’.

‘I’m here to make it clear. I think there’s gonna be a lot of pressure on me with that as well. But I like pressure, it makes you work harder’.

Meanwhile partner Kai added: ‘Dancing is about dancing. It’s not male female or whatever they choose to be. It doesn’t bother me. Tayce will tell you that we get on like a house on fire.

Before adding: ‘I think it’s fantastic that Tayce is the flag bearer for the drag community.’

The special, hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, airs on Christmas Day at 3:55pm.

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It come after Tayce revealed she’s received online abuse following her ‘controversial’ appearance in the line-up