The latest series of Strictly Come Dancing may be drawing to a close but fans will be treated to another festive instalment of the popular BBC show in the coming weeks.
This year's Christmas special will see six brand new celebrity contestants take to the dancefloor, with Girls Aloud singer Nicola Roberts the latest star to be confirmed. They will each be partnered with a professional dancer for the experience.
The six couples will perform a festive-inspired routine on the show in the hope of impressing the judges and the voting audience. One pair will be crowned champions.
The upcoming special will be hosted by Tess Daly, 53, and Claudia Winkleman, 50. It's set to include a "merry musical performance" and "some spectacular group routines".
The celebrities will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of singer Anne-Marie, 31. She won last year's festive special with her professional dancer Graziano Di Prima, 28.
Although it's still a few weeks away, here is what we know so far about who's joining the Christmas special so far.
George Webster
CBeebies star George Webster has been confirmed as the sixth and final celebrity for the Christmas special.
He recently won a BAFTA and made history when he became the first presenter on CBeebies with Down Syndrome. He will be partnered with Amy Dowden for the festive special and the exciting news was announced on It Takes Two tonight.
He 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."
George will join Nicola, Larry, Rosie, Rickie and Alexandra for the special, which will air Christmas Day.
Nicola Roberts
Girls Aloud singer Nicola Roberts shared her excitement with fans ahead of taking to the dancefloor with professional Giovanni Pernice.
Best known as one fifth of the iconic girl group, who were formed 20 years ago this Christmas, Nicola has also established herself as a campaigner over the years - with the star previously successfully advocating for a ban on underage usage of tanning beds.
As Nicola's place in the line-up was confirmed on on BBC Radio 2 on Zoe Ball’s Breakfast Show, the singer 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!"
Larry Lamb
The festive special will see past contestants return as well celebrities who haven't previously been on Strictly - including Gavin & Stacey star Larry Lamb.
Speaking about his appearance on the show, Larry said: “Christmas has come early! I can’t wait to get on the dance floor and learn a brand new skill ready for all those festive parties.
"I am excited yet incredibly nervous but I know Nadiya will look after me, and I look forward to adding a bit of extra sparkle to Christmas day.”
Rosie Ramsey
Presenter and podcaster Rosie Ramsey, who is married to comedian Chris Ramsey, will be taking to the dance floor in a bid of win the Glitterball trophy over the festive period.
Rosie's husband Chris appeared on Strictly in 2019 alongside pro Karen Hauer.
During his time on Strictly, the comedian and made it to the semi final and proved himself a favourite among fans.
Rosie, 35, is best known for co-hosting the smash hit podcast, Sh**ged Married Annoyed, with her comedian husband and will be paired with Neil Jones.
Opening up about her exciting stint on Strictly's Christmas special, the much-loved podcast star 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
BBC 1 radio presenter Rickie Haywood-Williams, 42, will be partnered with professional dancer Luba Mushtuk, 33, on the festive special.
Rickie will likely be asking co-host and pal Melvin Odoom for advice on the experience, as the latter appeared on both the regular series as well as the festive special six years ago.
Melvin was partnered with professional dancer Janette Manrara, 39, on the fourteenth series. They reunited later that year for the Christmas special and were its winners.
Rickie says: “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 n’ all.”
Alexandra Mardell
Former Coronation Street actress Alexandra Mardell, 29, will also be strutting her stuff for the Christmas special.
Alexandra shot to fame playing Emma Brooker on Corrie from 2018 but bid farewell to the cobbles back in April.
However, months on from waving goodbye to the soap, Alexandra has a new TV gig as she'll be dancing her way into the Elstree ballroom in a bid to lift the Christmas Glitterball trophy. She has been paired with pro Kai Widdrington.
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!”
Who are the judges?
It has been confirmed that the judging panel for the festive special will feature the same judges as the regular show. They were the judges on last year's Christmas special too.
The panel will be headed by Shirley Ballas, 61. She will be joined by fellow judges Craig Revel Horwood, 57, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke, 56, on the one-off special.
When will it air?
Strictly is once again part of the BBC's line-up for Christmas Day. The festive special will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, though a time has yet to be announced.
The contestants and their dance partners typically perform one routine to a festive song. They receive scores from the judging panel and one pair are later declared winners. The song list for this year's special has yet to be unveiled.
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