The line up of celebrities for the Strictly Come Dancing 2018 Christmas special have been confirmed.
Six of the most-loved Strictly contestants from previous series are returning to the dance floor for an all-star Christmas extravaganza special.
As always, the Strictly Come Dancing Xmas Special promises to light up a magical Christmas Day on BBC One, with six of the most memorable contestants from years past returning for a festive edition of the nation’s much loved show.
So, who’s on Strictly this Christmas?
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas contestants
This year the leading ladies set to spread Christmas joy on the dancefloor are Anita Rani (series 13), Ann Widdecombe (series 8) and Caroline Flack (series 12).
They’re joined by Aston Merrygold (series 15), Jake Wood (series 12) and Michael Vaughan (series 10).
Anita said: “I can’t contain my excitement about dancing again and getting sparkly for Strictly, stepping back inside the glitter ball of glam!”
Ann added: “I am very much looking forward to returning to Strictly, where I shall once again be pushed, pulled, cajoled and coaxed around the dancefloor in all manner of ways by my poor dance partner. Who knows, they might even fire me out of a canon.”
And former Strictly winner Caroline added: “I can’t quite believe it’s been four years since I had the best time of my life, dancing with Pasha on the Strictly dance floor. My Glitterball still has pride of place in my living room!
“It always felt like a family at the SCD studios, so how could I say no to performing one last time on this year’s Christmas special? It’ll be the best present I could imagine.”
Aston commented: “I’m so happy to be able to get back on the Strictly floor. I feel like I’ve got some unfinished business with it!”
Jake declared: “It’s been a few years since I donned the sequins so I can’t wait to do it all over again for the Christmas Special. I loved my experience on Strictly Come Dancing and I jumped at the chance when they asked if I wanted to step back onto the dancefloor.”
And Michael celebrated: “Having not danced at all since 2012 I can’t be any worse than then as I had no clue then, still have no clue, but can’t wait to have some fun and at least it will help lose a few pounds over the Xmas party season!”
The theme for the 2018 Strictly Christmas special is ‘fairy tales and making dreams come true’. Each of the six couples will perform a Christmas inspired routine in a bid to be crowned Christmas champions 2018.
Just like the main series, the Xmas show will be hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman while Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Bruno Tonioli and Head Judge Shirley Ballas will make up on the panel.
The judges will mark the routines but it’ll be the studio audience who vote for the winning couple, who will take home the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special 2018 Silver Star trophy.