CHRIS Appleton has been confirmed as the fourth star to take part in the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing.
The 43-year-old, from Leicester, is best known for styling the hair of a number of famous faces including , and .
Chris Appleton’s love life explored, including his six-month marriage and kids with his ex partner Credit: Getty
The hair stylist has worked with various famous faces in the showbiz industry, but his friendship with Kim Kardashian is most known out of them all Credit: instagram/chrisappleton1
And while many know about his incredible work and clientele, many don’t know much about his love life.
Chris and his ex-husband White Lotus star Lukas Gage, 31, were first romantically linked together at the start of 2023.
In April that year, the pair announced their engagement and then went on to tie the knot at the Little White Chapel in .
A number of celebrities attended the ceremony, including singer , who performed, as well as client and bestie Kim K, who officiated it.
Chris and ex-husband Lukas were married for six months in 2023 Credit: Getty
Chris was confirmed as one of the celebrities taking part in Strictly 2026 Credit: Instagram / bbcstrictly
Chris and Lukas wore matching leather trousers, big black fluffy coats and cow boy boots for the ceremony.
While Kim wowed in a plunging leather midaxi dress which showed off her amazing hour glass figure.
It was a huge ask of the Keeping Up With The star, however, the pair have grown very close since they started working together in 2016.
Sharing a snap to confirm their relationship status, Chris wrote on Instagram: “What happens in Vegas.”
But just six months after getting hitched, Chris and Lukas split in November 2023.
Their divorce was then finalised in June 2024.
Prior to that, before coming out as gay aged 26, Chris was in a long-term relationship with Katie Katon, who he dated between 2000 and 2009.
The pair met as teenagers while working in a hair salon together.
What some people don’t know is that he became a dad at just 19-years-old and is the father of two children.
The former couple welcomed their son Billy into the world in 2002, followed by their daughter Kitty-Blu, two years later.
Chris shared how he felt when he opened up about his sexuality to his kids on the On Purpose podcast with Jay Shetty last year.
Chris pictured with his two kids Credit: Instagram/chrisappleton1 How much does Chris Appleton charge for a hair cut?
The pricing of Chris’ work got brought up while he appeared on ‘s Great Company podcast.
Jamie, 37, asked the stylist: “Is it true you charge £100,000 for a haircut?”
Recalling being asked about his fee in a previous interview, Chris said: “It’s more. It’s £200,000. I said £100,000 because I was afraid of what… I was scared.”
Attempting to justify the eye-watering amount, he continued: “There’s so much that goes into it and there are plenty of times where I work for free or I don’t get paid that amount of money.
“Also, fifty percent tax, in America, and then your agent takes half and then your business manager takes five [percent].
“So, the answer is yes and no.”
He confessed: “My biggest focus in life is being a great dad to two kids, and any parent out there can connect to that.
“I will always put them before myself.
“The difficulty with shame is it’s very difficult to heal when I wasn’t just feeling my shame.
“I was feeling shame for them.”
Recalling what happened when he told his two children, he confessed that he couldn’t tell them himself, and Kate’s mum did it instead.
“I think maybe a lot of people can relate to this. Initially, saying the words ‘I’m gay’ is a challenge, because once those words are out, it’s done,” he recalled on the podcast.
“I actually didn’t say it. Kate’s mom actually said it.
“And then I just saw these two beautiful kids who were, like, 6 and 8, and they were just they were upset, because they knew I was upset, and they were confused.
“And all of a sudden, I just felt like I’d just messed their life up, and I felt like I’d failed as a dad, because my job was to protect them, and if anyone ever hurt them, I would protect them.
“I was the one hurting them, and I couldn’t understand that. I also just couldn’t hide I was gay anymore.”
Chris has a close bond with his two kids and every so often will post snaps of them enjoying time together on .
In April this year, Chris and daughter Kitty-Blu shared a joint Instagram post showing just how close they are.
They posted a vide of the hairdresser fixing his daughter’s hair while on a red carpet.
“The perks of having your dad as a Hairstylist,” they captioned the post.
And in March he posted a cute video montage of footage from the pair’s childhood.
Some clips included their travels together, as well as some of his kids from when they were younger.
“At 19, you’ll become a dad and it will be your lifes greatest achievement,” Chris wrote.
He added: “Time flies by, but being your dad will always be my greatest achievement.”
Chris was confirmed as one of the stars taking part in 2026.
Sharing a photo of Chris earlier today, the post was captioned: “He’s worked behind the scenes with some of the world’s biggest stars.
“Now it’s @chrisappleton1’s turn to take centre stage.
“Welcome to the #Strictly ballroom, Chris.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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