Jamie Borthwick, Sally Nugent and Dan Snow are the first contestants to be revealed for the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special this year.
Snow will be paired with professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova, who has taken part in seasons 15-20 of the show.
The broadcaster and historian is the great-great grandson of wartime Prime Minister David Lloyd George. He is also the nephew of Channel 4 Newsreader Jon Snow.
Snow has presented several history documentaries for the BBC, including Battlefield Britain, China’s Terracotta Army, and Pompeii.
“I am absolutely terrified about hitting the dancefloor," he said. "But I love getting out of my comfort zone and I’ve always wanted to learn how to dance properly. So I thought it was now or never!”
Nugent is best known for presenting BBC Breakfast and has worked on the programme since 2011. She will be dancing with Graziano Di Prima.
“I am thrilled and slightly terrified to be taking part in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special," she said. "I'm hoping the judges will be kind — and filled with Christmas spirit. And I hope everyone watching at home will enjoy a little bit of Strictly magic on Christmas night.”
Borthwick has also been announced for the Christmas special. The actor is best known for playing Jay Brown in BBC soap Eastenders for 17 years. He has won a British Soap Award for "Best Dramatic Performance from a Young Actor or Actress", an Inside Soap Award for “Best Actor”, and many more acting nominations.
"I am so excited to be joining the cast of this year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special," he said. "From Walford to a Waltz, I can’t wait to learn a new skill and put my dancing to the test. I’m hoping to spread Christmas cheer and have a good laugh with my professional dancer... get me on that dancefloor.”
The usual judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke, and Shirley Ballas (head judge) will give the celebrities scores out of 10 for their performances. The studio audience will vote for their favourite dancer.
What is the Strictly Christmas special?
The Strictly Christmas Special is broadcast every Christmas Day on BBC One. During the show, six couples perform a Christmas-inspired routine in an attempt to impress the judges.
This year, the special episode is being filmed on Tuesday, December 5 in Coventry.
“Marking the end of the latest incredible series of sparkles and show-stopping moments, Strictly returns with a special one-off programme on Christmas Day, recording in advance on Tues 5 Dec. Apply until 10pm on 14 Nov for your chance to be there!,” BBC Shows and Tours wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Who won last year?
Last year’s Christmas special started with a group routine to a festive medley of Let It Snow, The Nutcracker Suite and Santa Claus is Coming to Town. This featured the celebrities and their professional partners.
Coronation Street star Alexandra Mardell and Kai Widdrington won the contest.
