The line up of celebrities for the Strictly Come Dancing 2019 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 celebrities and pro dancers on the Christmas line up are…
Chizzy Akudolu and Graziano Di Prima
Debbie McGee and Kevin Clifton
Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Márquez
Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell
Mark Wright and Janette Manrara
Richard Arnold and Luba Mushtuk
Chizzy said: “I am so excited to be coming back to Strictly this year, and being able to get back on the dancefloor once again!
“I’m still the biggest fan of Strictly so it’s wonderful to be back with old friends, in front of and behind the camera, and hopefully some new ones for Christmas. Bring on the sparkle, and maybe an odd 10 – it is Christmas after all…!”
Debbie added: “I thought all my dreams came true two years ago when I was asked to do the series, but to be one of the rare people to be invited back to do the Christmas Special is the icing on the cake.
“I can’t wait to be back dancing with my Strictly family”.
Gemma commented: “I had the absolute best time on Strictly and it completely changed my life so I am absolutely overjoyed to be returning to the dancefloor this Christmas with a new challenge, and of course to be back with the gang!”
Joe enthused: “I’m really excited to have a go on the strictly ballroom floor again this Christmas.
“Strictly feels like a home away from home for me so I will be giving it my best shot and ending the year on a high.”
Mark said: “It’s been a while since I was on the dancefloor but I’m very much looking to forward to dusting off the dance shoes for Christmas!
“I can’t wait to be back – let’s get going!”
Richard added: “I can’t wait to get back out on the dance floor and throw shapes beneath the glitter ball once again.
“I just can’t promise you’ll recognise them or that they’ll be in any particular order. What I can promise is that one of us will be a professional.”
Each of the six couples will perform a Christmas inspired routine in a bid to be crowned Christmas champions 2019.
Just like the main series, the Xmas show will be hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman while Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, 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 2019 Silver Star trophy.
