Rickie will be swapping the studio for the dancefloor (Picture: PA)
Rickie Haywood-Williams is the second celebrity confirmed for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special.
The 42-year-old, who currently hosts Radio 1’s Live Lounge, and the already announced Rosie Ramsey will be two of the six celebrity contestants to take to the dancefloor for the festive special next month.
The former Kiss FM breakfast show host will be paired with professional dancer Luba Mushtuk in a bid to impress judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke, head judge Shirley Ballas and win the Glitterball Trophy.
The DJ announced the exciting news on the Rickie, Melvin and Charlie show on BBC Radio 1 on Wednesday, with Rickie admitting he had previously been ‘scared’ about the prospect of signing up to the juggernaut series.
The former Celebrity MasterChef contestant said: ‘I have 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.’
In the Christmas special, each of the six couples will perform a festive routine in the hope of impressing the judges and the voting audience.
Rickie said he was excited to be giving Strictly a go (Picture: Bafta/REX/Shutterstock)
Rosie, who is married to comedian Chris Ramsey, was the first celebrity contestant confirmed for the show earlier today and will be partnered alongside professional dancer Neil Jones.
The podcaster admitted she has been ‘desperate’ to appear on the show since watching her husband strut his stuff in 2019.
Will Rickie be crowned champion of Strictly’s Xmas special? (Picture: Getty Images)
She enthused: ‘I am thrilled to be dancing in this year’s Strictly Christmas special!
‘After watching my husband Chris compete a few years ago, I’ve been desperate to get on that dance floor myself!
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‘I also absolutely love Christmas, and my partner Neil is lovely, so this is just perfect. Best. Christmas. Ever!’
In 2021, popstar Anne-Maries was crowned winner of Strictly’s Christmas special after competing against former Bake Off host Mel Giedroyc, The Repair Shop’s Jay Blades, First Dates star Fred Sirieix, newsreader Moira Stuart and radio presenter Adrian Chiles.
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Christmas Day.
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Rickie currently hosts Radio 1’s Live Lounge.
