Strictly Come Dancing viewers were left missing the normal series during the competition's Christmas Day special. The popular BBC One programme's festive edition of the ballroom dance contest saw judges and a studio audience vote as the stars competed to lift the glistening Strictly Silver Star trophy.
In this year's pre-recorded Christmas special, six new celebrities took to the Strictly floor to help fans celebrate Christmas, as reported by the Mirror. The illustrious line-up featured Alexandra Mardell and Kai Widdrington, soap actor Larry Lamb and Nadiya Bychkova, podcaster Rosie Ramsey partnered with Neil Jones, actor George Webster dancing with Amy Dowden, DJ Ricky Haywood-Williams paired with Luba Mushtuk as well as singer Nicola Roberts alongside Giovanni Pernice.
However, some viewers were left disappointed by the short stint for the Christmas celebrities, and that the level of competition was lower with little training and a lack of a public vote. On Twitter, one fan wrote: “Can't see the point. One weeks training and they all get great over-marked scores.”
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A second chimed: “I love Strictly, but I'm not that keen on the Christmas specials - there's no 'journey' & we have no say in the outcome. So only really here for the #DoctorWho goodness at the end.”
Others were left missing the regular show already, as another tweeted: “When you realise this is the last strictly until September,” alongside a string of crying emojis.
Another added: “It feels like Strictly has been away for much longer. I HAVE MISSED IT SO MUCH.”
The Christmas edition followed another glitzy Strictly Come Dancing run this autumn, which saw a different band of celebrities battle it out to lift the Glitterball trophy. Ultimately, wildlife presenter Hamza Yassin claimed the coveted gong alongside dance partner Jowita Przystal, beating out Molly Rainford, Fleur East and Helen Skelton.
Hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, the Christmas special was presided over by the eagle-eyed judging panel of Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke, and head judge Shirley Ballas. The special started with a group routine to a festive medley of Let It Snow, The Nutcracker Suite and Santa Claus is Coming to Town, featuring the celebrities and their professional partners.
The special then saw each couple then take to the ballroom dance floor to perform their individual festive routines. Once all couples had danced, the studio audience voted for their favourite and their votes were combined with the judges' scores to decide the winner, with the show closed by a special musical performance from none other than former Strictly Come Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli.
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