Bold claim: the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Day special is almost here, and it promises a festive finale with fresh spins and dazzling performances that could redefine the holiday lineup. As the countdown to the grand finale accelerates to its final two weeks, the Christmas Day episode stakes a place of its own, blending familiar faces with new celebrities who are ready to sparkle under the studio lights.
This year brings six brand-new contestants hoping to charm judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke, and to lift the glitterball trophy in a Christmas-y blaze of sequins and spectacle.
Here’s who will light up the dance floor:
- Scarlett Moffatt, the former Gogglebox star and Queen Of The Jungle, will perform a Cha Cha Cha to Cher’s festive-infused track, DJ Play A Christmas Song.
- Melanie Blatt from All Saints takes on an American Smooth to the timeless Christmas classic Santa Baby.
- Jodie Ounsley, known for Gladiators as Fury, hits the floor with a Street-style routine to Red Christmas by Kylie Cantrall.
- Nicholas Bailey from EastEnders will bring a classic touch with a Viennese Waltz to Most Wonderful Time Of The Year.
- Babatunde Aléshé, the comedian, will do a Charleston to a version of Santa Claus is Coming To Town.
- Brian McFadden of Westlife will jive to Chuck Berry’s Run Rudolph Run.
The Christmas Day show will be pre-recorded, with the winner chosen by the studio audience, adding an extra layer of audience energy to the verdict.
Hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly will guide the proceedings, marking their final Strictly appearance as they step away from hosting duties after this series concludes.
As for replacements, speculation abounds about who will take over hosting duties in the future, but no formal decision has been made yet. BBC’s Kate Phillips, Chief Content Officer, explained to The Rest is Entertainment that screen tests and chemistry checks won’t begin until the New Year, emphasizing the priority of delivering another standout Strictly series while acknowledging the flood of inbox messages about the role.
For viewers eager to follow Strictly Come Dancing, new episodes air on Saturdays on BBC One, with the spin-off Strictly: It Takes Two on weeknights on BBC Two. Both are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
If you’d like to join the discussion or dive deeper, there’s a dedicated forum and a full Strictly news hub available through Digital Spy’s coverage.
Tip: this Christmas edition isn’t just about who wins; it’s about how dance, nostalgia, and a few fresh twists come together to create a holiday viewing moment that fans will remember. Do you think pre-recorded finales affect the spontaneity of a live-feel performance, or can a well-assembled show still feel authentic and thrilling? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation.
