Who will Claudia and Tess be welcoming onto the dancefloor this Christmas? (Picture: David Oldham/BBC)
There’s a fab-u-lous line-up for this year’s Strictly Christmas special!
Six famous faces will be revelling in the Rumba and sashaying in the salsa, hoping to win the coveted Strictly Silver Star.
But will anyone be as dazzling as last year’s winners, Anne-Marie and Graziano di Prima?
And will Craig Revel Horwood get his 10-paddle out?
Here’s who ahs been confirmed for 2022’s Strictly Christmas Special…
Who is in the Strictly Christmas Special 2022?
Rosie Ramsey
Rosie’s hoping to dance like hubby Chris, who wowed Strictly audiences in 2019 (Picture: Tom Dymond/REX/Shutterstock)
Podcaster Rosie Ramsey can definitely get a few dancing tips from her husband Chris Ramsey – he made it to the Strictly semi-finals with pro-Karen Hauer in 2019.
Who could forget his Blackpool salsa to Uptown Funk in those glorious pink trousers! Sensational!
Rosie, who co-hosts BBC2 comedy The Chris & Rosie Ramsey Show and the fan-favourite podcast Sh**ged Married Annoyed, was the first celebrity to be named for the Christmas special.
She is dancing with professional Neil Jones.
‘After watching Chris compete, I’ve been desperate to get on that dance floor myself,’ says Rosie, 35. ‘I also absolutely love Christmas. Best. Christmas. Ever!’
Rickie Haywood-Williams
The Radio 1 Live Lounge presenter teams up with Russian professional Luba Mushtuk – who wasn’t paired with a contestant by show bosses in the current Strictly series.
DJ Rickie was the second contestant confirmed for the show, and says: ‘I’ve watched Strictly over the years and always said I’d be too scared to do it. But here I am ready to go for it, sequins ‘n’ all!’
Rickie Haywood-Williams hopes his dancing will impress more than his cooking (Picture: PA)
The 42-year-old is no stranger to contests, showing he’s a dab hand in the kitchen on Celebrity Masterchef back in 2019.
Rickie didn’t make it past the third heat of Celebrity MasterChef, so he’ll be hoping to shine more brightly on the dancefloor!
Alexandra Mardell
Alexandra Mardell wants to impress the judges – and make her mum proud (Picture: Twitter)
Coronation Street star Alexandra Mardell teams up with newer professional Kai Widdrington – who is currently dating fellow pro dancer Nadiya Bychkova.
Alexandra, 29, played Emma Brooker in the soap for four years, quitting in April in an emotional exit which saw her character leaving for Australia.
She says she’s grown up with Strictly, and was the third person confirmed for the Christmas special.
‘My mum always said she’d love to see me on the show, so this is really the best Christmas present I could give her,’ she smiles.
‘I can’t wait to get to the training room and see what festive moves I can bring to the table.’
Larry Lamb
EastEnders legend Larry Lamb, 75, is dusting off his dancing shoes for Strictly and says he wants to add ‘a bit of extra sparkle’ to Christmas Day.
Larry was the fourth contestant revealed for the Christmas special.
He’s paired with pro Nadiya Bychcova – who performed with Matt Goss in the current series until he was voted out in the third dance-off.
Larry Lamb wants to dazzle on the dancefloor (Picture: Getty)
‘I can’t wait to get on the dance floor and learn a brand new skill ready for all those festive parties!’ says Gavin and Stacey star Larry.
He admits to being ‘incredibly nervous – but I know Nadiya will look after me!’
Nicola Roberts
Girls Aloud singer Nicola Roberts – and winner of ITV’s first The Masked Singer contest in 2020 – says she is ‘honoured’ to be invited on to Strictly.
The Girls Aloud star will be dancing with Giovanni Pernice (Picture: BBC/PA Wire)
‘It’s something very special indeed,’ says Nicola, 37 – the fifth contestant to be announced.
She partners with fan favourite Giovanni Pernice – who won last year’s series with Rose Ayling-Ellis and their unforgettable dance to Zara Larsson’s Symphony.
‘They’ve promised me extra glitter, sparkle and frosting all wrapped up together with a big bow on top!’ smiles Nicola.
‘What more could a girl wish for at Christmas!’
George Webster
CBeebies presenter George Webster, 22, was the sixth and final celebrity to be announced for Strictly’s upcoming festive extravaganza.
The CBeebies star will be taking to the dancefloor (Picture: BBC/PA)
He will be partnered with pro-Amy Dowden and expressed great excitement at the prospect of dancing with the experienced Strictly dancer.
‘I love Strictly and have watched it every year. I’ve always dreamed of being on the show. I’m so excited!’ he said in a statement.
‘To be partnered with Amy is such an honour, we get on so well, she’s so lovely and an amazing dancer. I’m looking forward to being “Strictlyfied”.’
The BAFTA-winning presenter made history when he became the first presenter on CBeebies with Down’s Syndrome when he was just 20 years old.
Outside of CBeebies, he has also had roles on stage and screen, most recently starring in the sequel The Railway Children Return.
Who is judging the Strictly Christmas special 2022?
Will Craig be smiling this Christmas, and could fan favourite Bruno Tonioli turn up? (Picture: Ray Burmiston/BBC/PA Wire)
Rumour had it that beloved judge Bruno Tonioli – who quit the main series at the end of last season to concentrate on US show Dancing With The Stars – might rock up for the special.
We’re keeping everything crossed!
But it looks likely that Bruno will sing, just like he did on Strictly in 2019.
Whatever happens, regular Strictly judges Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, and Bruno’s replacement Anton Du Beke will be in the hot seats!
It will make a Christmas Day to remember!
The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special will air on BBC One at 5.10pm on Christmas Day
MORE : Strictly Come Dancing viewers desperate to avoid spoilers after not realising date change
MORE : Strictly Come Dancing’s Helen Skelton now ‘remembers who she is’ following Richie Myler split
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Another sparkly Silver Star is up for grabs!
