Who is Strictly Come Dancing contestant and celeb bestie Chris Appleton?
Who is Strictly Come Dancing contestant Chris Appleton? (Wiktor Szymanowicz/Getty)
As he makes his way to the dance floor, here’s everything you need to know about Strictly Come Dancing contestant Chris Appleton.
The 43-year-old Hollywood hairstylist was the fourth contestant announced on the celebrity dancing show. He was partnered with professional dancer Amy Dowden.
On joining the show, Appleton said he was “thrilled to be joining [the show] and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience.”
He also added that he’s “always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new. I may know my way around a salon floor, but the dance floor is a whole different story – and I can’t wait to get started.”
For the first week of Strictly, Appleton and Dowden ranked 12th out of 15 with 16 points for their Tango to “No Roots” by Alice Merton. This left the pair near the bottom of the leaderboard for their first dance.
What does Chris Appleton do?
Appleton is a famous English hairstylist with an impressive and extensive celebrity clientele.
He’s worked with some of Hollywood’s biggest names, including Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Sofía Vergara, Katy Perry and Ariana Grande. or the latter, he is credited with conceptualising Grande’s iconic ‘ponytail’ hairdo.
He’s also the long-term stylist and close friend of Kim Kardashian and has regularly appeared on the reality TV show The Kardashians.
During his appearance on Strictly, he teased that Kim may appear to cheer him on.
“Kim’s so sweet, I mean, she’s been such an amazing person throughout my whole career,” Appleton said. He added: “And she said, ‘break a leg’, and just commenting on my post when I did it, and that’s so nice of her to support me because she’s always been so supportive.”
Is Chris Appleton LGBTQ+?
Appleton has been candid about his coming out journey. He was 26 when he came out as gay to his former partner Katie Katon, whom he met as a teenager.
With Katon, Appleton has two children, Billy born in 2002 and Kitty-Blu born in 2004.
Additionally, Appleton has been open about his severe mental health battles that he’s faced as he contended with shame.
Is Chris Appleton married?
Appleton made headlines with his whirlwind relationship with You star Lukas Gage.
The pair married in April 2023 in a small ceremony attended by Kim Kardashian and Shania Twain. Their marriage was filmed for an episode of The Kardashians. They were first thought to have begun dating in February, at the time, they posted photos while on holiday together.
Appleton confirmed he was “very much in love” with Gage . But in November 2023 Appleton filed for divorce. He cited “irreconcilable differences.” The two were later speculated to be enjoying new romances.
Speaking about the whirlwind romance with Shetty, Appleton said he didn’t have any regrets. “Moving fast doesn’t always mean you’re reckless. I think sometimes it means you’re hopeful. I think any relationship I’ve ever been in, I’ve gone into with an open heart, and I have no regrets about that.”
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday and Sunday evenings on BBC One.
