Billy Monger has revealed the heartwarming reason he decided to take part in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special.

The racing driver and TV presenter, 25, will dance the American Smooth with professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova in a bid to win the festive Glitterball trophy.

And in the lead-up to the special airing on Christmas Day, he has revealed he is dancing to say thank you to the surgeon who helped save his life.

Billy was racing in Formula 4 in April 2017, when he crashed at high speed in to the rear of another driver, leaving him critically injured and needing to have both legs amputated.

Despite this, he refused to give up on his racing career, lobbying to allow both disabled and non-disabled drivers to race alongside each other.

And he explained how he is doing Strictly in honour of one of the medics who helped him in his recovery, Tom Rowlands and his wife Courtney.

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Billy Monger has revealed the heartwarming reason he decided to take part in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special (pictured this month)

The racing driver and TV presenter, 25, will dance the American Smooth with professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova in a bid to win the festive Glitterball trophy (pictured)

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Billy was racing in Formula 4 in April 2017, when he crashed at high speed in to the rear of another driver, leaving him critically injured and needing to have both legs amputated

He told The Mirror: ‘Tom is one of many surgeons who looked after me when I needed it most. After my accident, we stayed in touch and they are part of my close network of people. His wife, Courtney, who will be coming to the show, is such a big Strictly fan.

‘When I said I might be doing Strictly, she said, “You have to do it. I’ve come to Hawaii, so you need to do it”. She’s the person who made me think, “I’ve got to do this”.’

Billy admitted that training for the show had been ‘challenging’ with his prosthetics, but credited partner Nadiya for helping to tweak their routine to fit him, calling her energy ‘infectious’.

And despite it being hard work, he admitted that he has enjoyed the process so much he would even be tempted to do the main series.

Billy said: ‘The intensity and duration of the main show can’t be underestimated. But now having been in this world for a few weeks, there is part of me going, “I don’t want this to end”.

‘I want it to keep going and continue to push the boundaries and try new things and show what’s possible for a double amputee dancing. I’m invested now, so I wouldn’t rule out doing the main show in the future.’

Speaking about appearing on the Christmas special last month, Billy admitted to his nerves at millions seeing him dance.

He said: ‘I’m still figuring that one out of my head, but I’m excited. It’s a bit of fun.

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And he explained how he is doing Strictly in honour of one of the medics who helped him in his recovery, Tom Rowlands and his wife Courtney

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Billy won the BBC Sports Personality Helen Rollason Award and had a BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary made about his story (pictured at SPOTY on Tuesday)

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While he recently beat the world record for a double amputee in the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii – the toughest endurance event in the world (pictured)

Inspirational moments from double-amputee Billy Monger over the years

‘There’s a lot of learning but I’m trying not to think about the fact that it will be out on national TV on Christmas Day, and all my family will definitely be watching. I’ll be watching through my fingers.’

Billy won the BBC Sports Personality Helen Rollason Award and had a BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary made about his story.

He has also built a career as a presenter and pundit on Channel 4’s coverage of Formula One and the Paralympics.

While he recently beat the world record for a double amputee in the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii – the toughest endurance event in the world.

Billy said: ‘I’ve spent the last 12 months training 20 hours a week for an Ironman world record attempt, but the thought of donning sequins in front of Craig Revel Horwood fills me with a fear I’ve never experienced before.

‘This is about as far from my comfort zone as it can get! My family are big Strictly fans, so I’m doing it for them and to raise awareness for what I’m doing for Comic Relief next year.’

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Six couples will perform a festive fuelled routine in the hope of impressing the judges, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Head Judge Shirley Ballas, and the voting studio audience

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Billy will go up against comic Josh Widdicombe, presenter Vogue Williams , EastEnders actress Tamzin Outhwaite, sprinter Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and drag queen Tayce in the special

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Spice Girl Emma Bunton will also perform on the BBC1 show on Christmas Day which is airing at 3.55pm (pictured)

He quipped: ‘I’m just hoping my leg doesn’t fall off mid-dance!’

Six couples will perform a festive fuelled routine in the hope of impressing the judges, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Head Judge Shirley Ballas, and the voting studio audience.

Billy will go up against comic Josh Widdicombe, presenter Vogue Williams, EastEnders actress Tamzin Outhwaite, sprinter Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and drag queen Tayce in the special.

Spice Girl Emma Bunton will also perform on the BBC1 show on Christmas Day which is airing at 3.55pm.