Strictly Come Dancing is gearing up for a brand new Christmas Special – and the full line-up has now been confirmed after final celebrity Brian McFadden was revealed tonight (Wednesday, November 26).
The ballroom will once again sparkle under thousands of festive lights as six celebrity–pro pairings take to the floor for the one-off spectacular.
Each duo will be hoping to impress the judges with a seasonal routine packed with glitter, charm and Christmas cheer.
Here’s the complete line-up following the big reveal on Strictly’s spin-off show It Takes Two.
Strictly Christmas Special 2025: Scarlett Moffatt joins line-up
We are motoring towards Christmas now and bosses at Strictly are finally revealing the names for the Christmas Special line-up.
The first celebrity to be announced was Scarlett Moffatt. The Gogglebox star’s identity was revealed on Strictly Come Dancing’s companion show, It Takes Two.
Scarlett had been on the guest panel when she suddenly revealed her news. She told Janette Manrara: “I’m so excited, I am officially this year’s first Strictly Christmas special contestant!”
The star, 35, went on: “Honestly, I just keep crying all the time. I can say it out loud now. I’m so excited.”
Scarlett says she is especially looking forward to her son Jude, two, seeing his mummy on the Strictly Christmas Special. It was confirmed she will be partnered with Vito Coppola.
However, not all fans agree with her signing. Scarlett is a former competitive ballroom dancer. She competed during her childhood and teens and previously said it would be “unfair” if she was on Strictly.
We wonder how everyone else in the competition will feel?!
Melanie Blatt: Strictly Christmas Special?
Melanie Blatt is the second celebrity to be confirmed for this year’s Strictly Christmas Special. Her name was announced on Scott Mills’ Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2.
She will be partnered with Kai Widdrington in the festive show.
Mel, 50, is best known for starring in the 90s pop band, All Saints. She was in the band with Shaznay Lewis and Natalie and Nicole Appleton and they dominated the charts for a time.
Only recently, Mel appeared in the BBC Two documentary, Girlbands Forever. She is now friends with her former bandmates but revealed they had an epic fallout when the group split.
Speaking about Strictly, Mel said: “If you can’t have a dance at Christmas, when can you?! I’m so excited to meet Kai and start training to make this a dance to remember.”
This isn’t Melanie’s first dalliance in BBC reality TV. She previously made it to the final in Celebrity MasterChef and competed in Celebrity Race Across the World.
Jodie Ounsley, aka Fury from Gladiators, becomes the third celeb to sign up for Christmas special
Monday’s edition of Strictly: It Takes Two saw Jodie Ounsley, aka Fury from Gladiators, revealed as the third celebrity to be taking part in this year’s Christmas special.
Bringing Gladiator, rugby player, and deaf advocate Jodie out on It Takes Two, Fleur East gushed, “This is cool!”
“Tell me about it!” Jodie exclaimed.
When asked why she’d decided to do the show, Jodie said that after seeing Montell Douglas on the show, she thought she’d give it a go!
It was also revealed she will be dancing with Neil Jones in the festive special.
She then issued her fellow competitors a threat.
“Watch out Scarlett, cos I’m coming after you love!” Jodie warned Scarlett Moffatt as her interview came to an end.
Speaking to the BBC, she added: “I’m absolutely buzzing to be doing the Strictly Christmas Special. Being the first female rugby player means a lot to me too. I honestly can’t wait to get stuck in, I’m used to smashing into people so this is definitely going to be a challenge!”
Strictly Christmas Special – Nicholas Bailey signs up
EastEnders’ Dr Anthony Trueman actor Nicholas Bailey was the next star announced, and he’ll be dancing with Strictly pro Luba Mushtuk.
Known to millions for his role as Dr Anthony Trueman in BBC soap EastEnders, Nicholas first arrived on Albert Square 25 years ago, where he was a Walford regular until 2003. After guest appearances over the years, Nicholas returned to EastEnders earlier this year.
He said: “I’m really excited to be doing this, almost as excited as my wife and daughters are! Hopefully I’ll do them, Albert Square and Luba proud. Bring on the dancefloor.”
“Another one I’m looking forward to seeing,” said one fan of the soap star. “Anthony yes!” said another. A third commented: “This is mad but why is it on Christmas special they have better contestants than the actual show. It’s mad, like why didn’t they bring this legend in for the main show?”
I’m A Celeb star signs up to Strictly Christmas special
I’m A Celebrity star Babatunde Aléshé was announced as the fifth celeb taking part in the Strictly Christmas special during It Takes Two on Tuesday (November 25).
The comedian said: “That’s right! I’m here to shake a leg and show you how it’s done!”
He then quipped: “And also if you want to know who my partner is…” before host Fleur East revealed it was Nancy Xu.
Babatunde also said in a press release: “I used to do a little dancing when I was in college. I used to do Street Locking and Break Dancing, but then I found comedy and pursued that instead.
“At 39 I’ve accepted that a good two-step is all I need to get by at any function, but I know that won’t be enough for Strictly! Let’s hope the old moves come back to me in time for Christmas.”
The news of Babatunde’s stint on the show has gone down a treat with fans. On Instagram one person said: “Can’t wait to see you move them hips.” Someone else declared: “No way!” A third chimed in: “Yes love him.”
Westlife star Brian McFadden joins the cast
The final cast member was named on Strictly Come Dancing’s spin-off show It Takes Two on Wednesday night (November 26).
Janette Manrara revealed to fans that Brian McFadden is the sixth star to take part. The boyband star even joined the show and spoke about how excited he is to be part of the show.
He said: “I’m delighted to be a part of the Strictly Christmas special. We are big fans of Strictly in our house so to be dancing on Christmas Day on such a magical show will make it a Christmas to remember.
“When I got the phone call for the Christmas special, the family was so excited!”
Janette told him he’s going to be dancing with Michelle, but Brian joked he already knew as they’ve been practicing for 2 days!
Brian knows he’s got a ‘lot of hard work’ ahead of him but is excited to work with the pro.
Fans aren’t sure about the casting.
One wrote: “Brian McFadden for Strictly? The barrel has been SCRAPED.”
Another had the wrong list of stars completely after confusing Jess Wright among the cast!
Someone else defended the pairing: “Yes Michelle getting an Xmas partner.”
When is the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special
In keeping with tradition, the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Christmas Day. The Beeb is yet to announce the time it is on, but except to see in on screens in the early evening.
The festive show, as usual, is pre-recorded. This means there won’t be a public vote.
Instead, judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse will decide who lifts the Christmas Glitterball Trophy.
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will host the Special. But it will be a sad occasion, as it is the pair’s final Strictly presenting gig before they leave the show for good.
We expect there to be a good old knees up before the bow out completely, though. The ladies have already enjoyed a raucous night at the Blackpool wrap party.
OF COURSE there will be a Christmas party and leaving party too!
Read more: Strictly Come Dancing star Alex Kingston speaks out as fans concerned over painful injury
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Christmas Day, Thursday December 25, 2025.
So who are you looking forward to seeing? Tell us on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix.