Strictly Come Dancing’s 2021 Christmas Special is on its way – here’s all you need to know.
Back after a year off-air due to the pandemic, Strictly’s festive special will air on BBC One this Christmas Day (Saturday, 25 December) at 5:10PM.
Hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, the show will welcome Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Head Judge Shirley Ballas to the judges panel.
Six celebrity couples will perform a Christmas inspired routine with the hope of impressing the judges as well as the voting audience.
The Christmas special will also see a sensational group routine featuring the celebrities and their professional partners, alongside the Strictly pros.
And, as well as dancing, there’s plenty of music, with two very special performances from Jamie Cullum and Gary Barlow.
Who’s on the Strictly Christmas line up?
Those confirmed to be appearing on the one-off show include TV personality Fred Sirieix. The star of First Dates and ITV’s hit series Gino, Gordon And Fred will be paired with Dianne Buswell.
He will be joined by The Repair Shop’s Jay Blades, dancing with Luba Mushtuk and popstar Anne-Marie, partnered with Graziano Di Prima.
Newsreader Moira Stuart will perform with Aljaž Škorjanec, broadcaster Adrian Chiles will dance with Jowita Przystal and comedian Mel Giedroyc completes the line up, dancing with Neil Jones.
Jay said: “I’m super excited, times two! One, because I’m going to learn a new dance apart from the ‘Dad’ dance, and two because I’m going to be on Strictly!”
Fred added: “I absolutely love Christmas so I’m delighted to be taking part in the Strictly Christmas special and to be partnered with the magnificent Dianne. I hope my dance moves bring some Christmas joy to everybody watching at home and don’t make the judges say, bah, Humbug!”
Anne-Marie said: “I’m excited to take part in the Strictly Christmas special. I love the show, and who would turn down a dance with Graziano?!”
Moira Stuart said: “I’ve loved dancing for as long as I can remember. In fact it even helped me try to keep warm in my early coldwater flat…”
Adrian Chiles added: “Discouragingly, every one of my family and friends with whom I’ve shared this news, has reacted with horror. They can’t believe it I’m doing it, and neither can I. Thoughts and prayers with whichever poor dancer is lumbered with me.”
Mel Giedroyc commented: “I don’t think I’ve been this excited about Christmas since I got my first guinea-pig from Santa in 1978”
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special will air on BBC One on Christmas Day.
