CHRISTMAS isn’t really Christmas until the Strictly special is on.
Here is everything you need to know, how to watch it and who will be dancing for us this year.
When is the Strictly Christmas special on?
The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special airs on Christmas day every year.
2025 is no different, the programme will be back on our screens on December 25, 2025 at 5.30pm.
Who is dancing on the Strictly Christmas special?
There are six new contestants who are eager to impress on this year’s Christmas special:
Scarlett Moffatt
Scarlett is reality TV royalty.
She was a breakout Gogglebox star who went on to win I’m a Celeb in 2016.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun, she said: “It’s funny because I think in my brain, ‘oh yeah, that’s what I’m doing’. But then I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and I’m like, ‘oh, something’s not connected’.
“Because in my head I’m doing the moves that he’s saying. But then I look in the mirror and I’m like, ‘oh, that isn’t what I thought I would look like doing that’.
“I’m just having fun, and I think that’s the main thing, especially for the Strictly Christmas special. It’s the sheer joy of it.”
There was some controversy following the announcement of her addition to the Strictly line up.
A Strictly insider told The Mail: “Scarlett is a trained dancer, she is so good at it and spent much of her childhood doing ballroom and Latin dancing.
“Anton even helped her and now he will be judging her against others. It all feels very unfair.”
Scarlett is paired with fan favourite Vito Coppola.
The Strictly star, 33, has won the Glitterball with Ellie Leach and made the Strictly final on two other occasions. He also won the Italian version of the show in his only series on the show.
Scarlett admits she was desperately hoping to be paired with him, and she was ecstatic when she got her wish, telling us “there’s something about the way that he dances and his energy“.
Melanie Blatt
You might recognise Melanie from her old girl band All Saints.
All Saints, which consisted of Melanie, sisters Nicole and Natalie and main songwriter Shaznay Lewis, were always deemed a “cool version” of the Spice Girls and were far more rock ‘n’ roll.
Melanie is paired with Kai Widdrington as her pro partner and she told the BBC: “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.”
Jodie Ounsley
Jodie Ounsley is a pro rugby player, athlete and broadcaster.
She is deaf and has been an outspoken advocate for the deaf community.
For the Christmas Special, Jodie is paired up with Neil Jones.
Neil is a fan favourite who we have missed on our screens – he was not paired with a celeb in the main series this year.
Nicholas Bailey
You will know Nicholas Bailey as an Eastenders legend.
A source told The Sun: “Nicholas has one of TV’s most recognisable faces but has never really stepped outside the character of Doctor Trueman.
“This will be the first time he’s really strode out as Nicholas so this will be lots of fun for fans.
“He’s quite the hunk, too, and has theatre experience which he showed off on Soapstar Superstar in 2006, so he looks set to put on a great show.”
His professional dance partner Luba Mushtuk.
Babatunde Aleshe
Similarly to Scarlett, you might recognise Babatunde from Gogglebox or his stint on I’m a Celeb.
He has been a standup comedian for over 20 years.
He is paired with Nancy Xu for the special.
Brian McFadden
Brian McFadden found fame in 1994 through the boyband Westlife.
He is an Irish singer songwriter who will be paired with Michelle Tsiakkas.
He told the BBC: “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.”
How can I watch the Strictly Christmas Special?
Strictly’s Christmas Special will be available on BBC One.
If you miss the live show, you can always catch up on BBC iPlayer.