Chris Appleton steps onto Strictly with Amy Dowden while Kim Kardashian may cheer from the crowd.
British celebrity hairdresser Chris Appleton is swapping scissors for dance shoes this autumn. The 43-year-old, famed for styling the likes of Kate Moss, Cara Delevingne and many Hollywood A-list stars, was unveiled as a contestant in the launch episode of Strictly Come Dancing on BBC One.
Paired with professional dancer Amy Dowden Appleton will share the ballroom with singer Delta Goodrem former Love Island champion Dani Dyer and ex-England footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips. The first live show airs on Saturday at 6.15 pm, with a simultaneous stream on BBC iPlayer, marking the hair stylist’s first foray into prime-time television.
While the celebrity line-up has already sparked chatter, one subplot has captured fans’ imagination: the possible presence of Appleton’s long-time client and close friend Kim Kardashian in the studio audience. The reality-TV mogul, who has featured Appleton on The Kardashians publicly celebrated his Strictly announcement, posting a supportive message and sending a “beautiful bouquet of flowers” accompanied by a classic “break a leg” wish.
Appleton disclosed to the Press Association that each contestant receives only two tickets, leaving room for speculation about whether one of those coveted seats could be claimed by Kardashian.
Kim Kardashian’s enthusiastic backing and possible audience cameo
Kim’s encouragement has gone beyond a simple comment. After Appleton’s participation was confirmed, she flooded his social feeds with emojis, congratulatory notes, and the aforementioned floral arrangement, which she sent “just because she didn’t have to”. In Appleton’s own words, Kardashian’s gesture “says so much about who she is” and underscores their “always-supportive” friendship. He added that she is his “hair muse” and “my girl”, highlighting the personal bond that extends well beyond professional engagements.
From backstage to Instagram – a playful judging moment
Even before the live performance, Kardashian staged a light-hearted “Strictly-style” judging session on Instagram. In a short video, Appleton demonstrated a parking-lot jig while Kardashian, seated in the back seat of a car, awarded a modest two points and quipped, “For not being good under pressure, just because you’re, y’know, you.” The clip, set to the iconic show theme, blended humor with genuine support, reinforcing the idea that anything could happen when Appleton steps onto the Elstree stage.
The friendship that goes beyond the salon
The duo’s connection began when Kardashian contacted Appleton for a haircut, a meeting Appleton describes as an “instant click”. He later referred to her as his muse because of her willingness to experiment, noting that their mutual appetite for pushing creative boundaries fuels his own artistic growth. Their professional overlap expanded when Appleton appeared on Keeping Up with the Kardashians cementing a real-life friendship that now includes personal milestones.
In April , Appleton married actor Lukas Gage in a Las Vegas ceremony officiated by Kardashian herself. The wedding featured matching black fur jackets and a private acoustic set by Shania Twain, underscoring the closeness of the trio. The marriage dissolved six months later, with Appleton filing for divorce citing “irreconcilable differences”. Despite the split, Kardashian’s support for Appleton’s Strictly venture remains steadfast, and insiders suggest she may align a UK flagship-store opening with a visit to the studio, though coordinating such a “military-operation-style” appearance would depend on her diary.
As the first live show approaches, Appleton will be dancing under the bright lights of Elstree, aware that the audience could hold a familiar face cheering from the seats. Whether Kardashian ultimately occupies one of the two tickets remains uncertain, but her public backing and history of unexpected gestures hint that a surprise cameo is not out of the question. Viewers can catch the performance on BBC One or stream it via iPlayer, where Appleton’s journey from hair-dresser to ballroom competitor will unfold.
