Get ready for a festive showdown like no other! Strictly Come Dancing is pulling out all the stops for its Christmas Day special, and the lineup is nothing short of dazzling. But here's where it gets controversial—with just two weeks left until the grand finale, is it fair to distract fans with a holiday extravaganza? Let’s dive in.
This year, six brand-new celebrities are stepping onto the dance floor, aiming to dazzle judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke. The ultimate prize? A glittering Christmas glitterball that’s as coveted as it is festive. And this is the part most people miss—each star is paired with a holiday tune that’s both nostalgic and unexpected.
Former Gogglebox star and Queen of the Jungle Scarlett Moffatt will bring her bubbly energy to a Cha Cha Cha, grooving to Cher’s DJ Play a Christmas Song. Meanwhile, All Saints singer Melanie Blatt will smooth things over with an American Smooth to the timeless Santa Baby. But here’s a bold prediction—her performance might just redefine how we hear this classic.
Gladiators star Jodie Ounsley, aka Fury, is swapping the arena for the dance floor with a street-style routine to Kylie Cantrall’s Red Christmas. On the other end of the spectrum, EastEnders star Nicholas Bailey is keeping it traditional with a Viennese Waltz to The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. Which approach will win over the judges? That’s up for debate.
Comedian Babatunde Aléshé is bringing his infectious humor to a Charleston set to Santa Claus is Coming to Town, while Westlife’s Brian McFadden is jiving to Chuck Berry’s Run Rudolph Run. But here’s a thought—will his pop star background give him an unfair advantage? Let us know what you think in the comments.
The Christmas special, pre-recorded and judged by the studio audience, will be hosted by the dynamic duo Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly. Sadly, this marks their final appearance as co-hosts after announcing their departure from the show. And this is where it gets emotional—who will fill their shoes? Kate Phillips, BBC’s Chief Content Officer, has confirmed that the search for their successors won’t begin until the New Year. “We haven’t got time at the moment to start doing any screen tests or chemistry testing,” she said. But with her inbox flooded, it’s clear the competition is fierce.
Catch Strictly Come Dancing every Saturday on BBC One, and don’t miss Strictly: It Takes Two on weeknights on BBC Two. Both are available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Want to join the conversation? Head over to our dedicated sub-forum or check out more Strictly news on our homepage.
Before you go, here’s a fun bonus—the new edition of Living Legends celebrates music icon Dolly Parton! Grab your copy of Dolly at 80 for just £8.99. Now, here’s a question to spark debate: With Strictly’s Christmas special stealing the spotlight, is it overshadowing the main series? Share your thoughts below!
