Strictly Come Dancing 2025 Christmas Special celebrity contestants confirmed

Meet the stars who'll be waltzing in a winter wonderland...

Published: 26 November 2025

The Strictly glitterball sits at the centre of a snowy village. Gingerbread people, Nutcrackers and figures in Santa costumes dance around it in a circle.

The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special 2025 will see six couples battle it out under the glitterball to be crowned the Strictly Christmas Champion.

Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will oversee the festivities for their final time, while Head Judge Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke will all be on hand to dish out sleigh-loads of advice, Christmas cheer and the odd lump of coal - before the voting studio audience will decide who wins.

Expect a winter wonderland full of festive magic, dazzling group dances, live music and more in what will be the perfect antidote to the post-Christmas Dinner slump.

Meet the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special Celebrity Contestants

Scarlett Moffatt

A woman in a light jumper smiles to camera, set against a backdrop of snowy Christmas trees

Strictly has always held a special place in my heart, so being part of the Christmas Special feels truly magical. It’s the show that brings everyone together around the TV, and being part of that is a genuine personal and career highlight. I’m sure it’ll also introduce me to a few muscles I didn’t know I had. I can’t wait to live my best life on that dancefloor.
— Scarlett Moffatt

Scarlett is a presenter and TV personality, who first rose to fame alongside her family on Gogglebox before going on to win I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! in 2016.

She will be paired with Strictly Come Dancing Professional Dancer Vito Coppola when she enters the Strictly Christmas ballroom this December.

Find out more about Scarlett

Melanie Blatt

A woman with blonde hair smiles to camera in a yellow top, set against a background of snowy Christmas trees

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.
— Melanie Blatt

Melanie is a singer and cook, who rose to international fame in the 1990s as a member of the multi-platinum-selling, award-winning All Saints.

Melanie will be paired with Strictly Come Dancing Professional Dancer Kai Widdrington when she enters the Strictly Christmas ballroom this December.

Find out more about Melanie

Jodie Ounsley aka Fury

A head and shoulders shot of a woman with blonde hair, set against an animated scene of snowy Christmas trees

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!
— Jodie Ounsley

Jodie is a rugby player, athlete, broadcaster, and advocate for the deaf community.

She will be lighting up the Strictly Christmas ballroom alongside her Professional dance partner Neil Jones.

Find out more about Jodie

Nicholas Bailey

A man in a dark blue suit and light shirt smiles to camera, set against a backdrop of an animated snowy scene

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.
— Nicholas Bailey

Nicholas is an actor who will be swapping Albert Square for the Strictly Christmas ballroom alongside his Professional dance partner Luba Mushtuk.

Known to millions for his role as Dr Anthony Trueman in EastEnders, Nicholas first arrived on the 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.

Find out more about Nicholas

Babtunde Aléshé

A man in a dark t-shirt smiles, standing with his arms crossed against a backdrop of snowy Christmas trees

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.
— Babatunde Aléshé

Babatunde is an award-winning stand-up comedian, actor and podcaster.

He'll be paired with Strictly Come Dancing Professional Dancer Nancy Xu when he enters the Strictly Christmas ballroom this December.

Find out more about Babatunde

Brian McFadden

A man in a black jacket and brown t-shirt smiles to camera, set against a backdrop of animated snowy Christmas trees

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.
— Brian McFadden

Brian McFadden is an Irish singer-songwriter who first rose to fame as a member of Westlife.

He will dance with Strictly Come Dancing Professional Dancer Michelle Tsiakkas when he enters the Strictly Christmas ballroom this December.