BBC's Stricty Come Dancing Christmas special is making a return for 2022.
The programme will see six new celebrities embrace the sequins and battle it out on the dancefloor to be crowned Christmas champion. The stars and their professional dance partners will perform a festive-themed routine in an attempt to please both the judges and the public.
Among this year's contestants is a soap actor, a pop star and a radio DJ. Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and head judge Shirley Ballas will all be returning to critique their moves.
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Last year’s Christmas special was won by pop singer Anne-Marie after she wowed the judges with a cha cha to a version of Feliz Navidad by Gwen Stefani. The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special 2022 will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Christmas Day.
Here is the full line-up of stars preparing to lace up their dancing shoes so far...
Rosie Ramsey
Podcaster and author Rosie Ramsey was the first contestant to be announced for the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special. She will be joined by professional dancer Neil Jones.
Rosie is known for co-hosting the critically acclaimed podcast Sh**ged. Married. Annoyed. with her comedian husband Chris Ramsey - who made it to the semi final of Strictly in 2019. She also co-presents The Chris & Rosie Ramsey Show which will return for a second series next year on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.
On joining the Strictly Christmas line-up, Rosie said: “I am thrilled to be dancing in this year’s Strictly Christmas special! After watching my husband Chris compete a few years ago, I’ve been desperate to get on that dance floor myself! I also absolutely LOVE Christmas, and my partner Neil is lovely, so this is just perfect. Best. Christmas. Ever!”
Rickie Haywood-Williams
DJ and presenter Rickie Haywood-Williams will be showing off his best moves during the Strictly Christmas special. He will be partnered with professional dancer Luba Mushtuk.
Rickie hosted the Kiss FM breakfast show for 10 years before moving to the BBC where he presents Radio 1’s Live Lounge show with Melvin Odoom and Charlie Hedges.
After the news was announced on Radio 1, he said: “I have watched Strictly over the years and always said I’d be too scared to do it. But here I am ready to go for it, sequins and all.”
Alexandra Mardell
Alexandra Mardell was the third celebrity confirmed for the Strictly Christmas special. She will be paired with Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Kai Widdrington.
The actress is perhaps best known for playing Emma Brooker in the ITV soap Coronation Street. But her other credits include the crime drama series, Vera, where she played the role of Kelly Horton.
In 2019, she won the British Soap Award for Best Newcomer and was nominated for both Best Newcomer and Serial Drama Performance at the National Television Awards. And soon Alexandra will take the lead role in new series The Family Pile for ITV.
On joining the line-up, she said: “I’ve grown up with Strictly Come Dancing, and my mum always said she’d love to see me on the show so this really is the best Christmas present I could give her. I can’t wait to get into the training room and see what festive moves I can bring to the table!”
Larry Lamb
Actor Larry Lamb has overcome a medical ordeal to finally join the Strictly Christmas line-up. The 75-year-old, who played Mick Shipman in hit sitcom Gavin & Stacey, will be partnered with professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova.
Larry presents Channel 5 docuseries Britain By Bike alongside his son George and regularly appears on The One Show. He also starred in EastEnders as Archie Mitchell.
When his participation was revealed on BBC’s The One Show, Lamb spoke of dance partner Bychkova: “She’s the most extraordinary teacher and the most supportive person. The thing is what I didn’t realise is not only has she got to teach me a dance routine, the first thing is she has to teach me how to dance."
Larry was asked to join Strictly five years ago but had to turn it down. He explained: “They discovered I had a big problem with a serious situation where a disc was about to severe my spinal cord. Arms all over the place, legs all over the place, they finally got in and got it sorted out, the operation was a huge successful but the nerve damage happened over the years. I spent five years so I could walk straight.
“One of the of the jokes was back then if I ‘keep working on it you never know you might finish up on Strictly’.”
Nicola Roberts
Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts was the fifth celebrity confirmed for the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special. The singer will be partnered with professional dancer Giovanni Pernice.
The 37-year-old is best known for being a member of the girl band alongside Cheryl, Kimberley Walsh, Nadine Coyle and the late Sarah Harding. The group was formed on TV show Popstars: The Rivals in 2002 and went on to have hit tracks including Sound Of The Underground and The Promise, for which they won a Brit Award.
Nicola was also crowned the winner of the first series of ITV’s The Masked Singer UK. On joining Strictly for Christmas, she said: “It’s truly an honour to be part of Strictly, but to be invited on to the prestigious Christmas Day episode is something very special indeed.
“They’ve promised me extra glitter, sparkle and frosting, all wrapped up together with a big bow on top. What more could a girl wish for at Christmas?!”
George Webster
Actor George Webster was the sixth and final contestant announced for Strictly's Christmas special. He will be strutting his stuff with Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Amy Dowden.
BAFTA-winning George, 22, made history when he became the first presenter on CBeebies with Down Syndrome. He is also an actor on stage and screen, appearing in productions in France and the UK, as well as in a cameo role in The Railway Children Return, a sequel to the classic story.
He will soon be seen in Something Special, Casualty and World on Fire. George was included in the top 20 in the Radio Times 100 list for creating change in entertainment and is also in the Shaw Trust disability 100 power list. He is a public speaker, park runner and ambassador for the disability charity Mencap and also Yorkshire Dance.
On joining the line-up, George said: “I love Strictly and have watched it every year. I’ve always dreamed of being on the show one year and I’m so excited to be on this year’s Christmas Special!
! To be partnered with Amy is such an honour, we get on so well, she’s so lovely and an amazing dancer. I’m looking forward to being 'Strictlyfied.' Bring on the glitter and everything else. I can’t wait to perform on the Strictly dancefloor.”
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