Strictly Come Dancing fans will be delighted to hear that the Strictly Christmas Special 2022 will see six new celebrities take to the ballroom floor in a bid to be crowned Christmas Champion 2022.
Following news that the normal Strictly Come Dancing will be aired on Friday this week, fans can be guaranteed for a double dose of dancing this year with the return of the annual special - as part of the BBC's fabulous Christmas TV schedule.
Each of the six couples will perform a Christmas inspired routine with the hope of impressing the judges, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke, Head Judge Shirley Ballas, and the voting audience.
But who will lift the coveted Strictly Come Dancing Christmas trophy? We look at who is confirmed for this year's line-up...
Strictly Christmas Special 2022 line-up:
George Webster
George Webster is the sixth and final celebrity confirmed for the Christmas special and he will be paired with Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer, Amy Dowden.
Hailing from Leeds, 22 year old George who recently won a BAFTA made history when he became the first presenter on CBeebies with Down Syndrome. He is also an actor on stage and screen, appearing in productions in France and the UK, as well as in a cameo role in The Railway Children Return, a sequel to the classic story.
George said, “I love Strictly and have watched it every year. I’ve always dreamed of being on the show one year and I’m so excited to be on this year’s Christmas Special! 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”. Bring on the glitter and everything else. I can’t wait to perform on the Strictly dance floor.”
George will soon be seen in Something Special, Casualty and World on Fire. George was included in the top 20 in the Radio Times 100 list for creating change in entertainment; and is in the Shaw Trust disability 100 power list. He is a public speaker, park runner and ambassador for the disability charity Mencap and also Yorkshire Dance.
The news was revealed on Friday 2nd December on Strictly: It Takes Two on BBC Two.
Nicola Roberts
Nicola Roberts is the fifth celebrity confirmed for the Strictly Christmas special and the Girls Aloud star will be paired with Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer, Giovanni Pernice.
Nicola said, “It’s truly an honour to be part of Strictly, but to be invited on to the prestigious Christmas day episode is something very special indeed. They’ve promised me extra glitter, sparkle and frosting all wrapped up together with a big bow on top. What more could a girl wish for at Christmas!”
Best known for being one fifth of Girls Aloud, who were formed 20 years ago this Christmas, the band achieved a record breaking 20 consecutive Top 10 singles and won a Brit Award for their number one single The Promise.
In 2011 Nicola co-wrote and released her debut solo album Cinderella’s Eyes. She is also an actress and prior to covid striking made her Westend debut in City of Angels. Nicola presented a critically acclaimed BBC Three documentary Nicola Roberts: The Truth About Tanning and successfully advocated for a ban on underage usage of tanning beds. In 2020 she was crowned the winner of the first series of ITV’s The Masked Singer UK.
The news was revealed on Friday 2nd December on BBC Radio 2, Zoe Ball’s Breakfast Show.
Larry Lamb
Stage and screen actor Larry Lamb is the fourth celebrity confirmed for the Strictly Christmas special and he will be paired with Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova.
Larry said, “Christmas has come early! I can’t wait to get on the dance floor and learn a brand new skill ready for all those festive parties. I am excited yet incredibly nervous but I know Nadiya will look after me, and I look forward to adding a bit of extra sparkle to Christmas day.”
Larry has starred in numerous TV series, playing iconic roles such as Mick Shipman in the BBC's multi-award winning comedy series Gavin & Stacey and Archie Mitchell in BBC One’s flagship soap EastEnders.
A keen traveller, Larry presents Channel 5 docu-series Britain by Bike, which sees him and his son George cycling across Britain, and he also regularly works with BBC One's The One Show, presenting their history and heritage films.
The news was revealed on Thursday 1st December on The One Show.
Alexandra Mardell
Coronation Street star, Alexandra Mardell is the third celebrity confirmed for the Strictly Christmas special. Alexandra will be paired with Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Kai Widdrington.
Speaking about joining the contest, Alexandra confessed, “I’ve grown up with Strictly Come Dancing, and my Mum always said she’d love to see me on the show so this really is the best Christmas present I could give her. I can’t wait to get into the training room and see what festive moves I can bring to the table!”
Best known for playing the role of Emma Brooker in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street, in 2019, she won the British Soap Award for Best Newcomer and was nominated for both Best Newcomer and Serial Drama Performance at the National Television Awards.
Alexandra will soon be seen as a lead role in new series The Family Pile for ITV. Other credits include the crime drama series, Vera, where she played the role of Kelly Horton.
The news was revealed on Thursday 1st December on BBC Radio 5 Live!
Rickie Haywood-Williams
Radio 1 DJ and presenter Rickie Haywood-Williams is the second celebrity confirmed for the Christmas special and he will be paired with Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Luba Mushtuk.
Speaking ahead of his dancing debut, Rickie 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.”
Rickie previously presented the KISS FM breakfast show for 10 years before moving to the BBC, where he currently presents BBC Radio 1’s iconic Live Lounge show with Melvin Odoom and Charlie Hedges. He also hosts the BBC Sounds hit podcast the Footballers’ Football podcast.
The news was revealed on Wednesday 30th November on the Rickie, Melvin & Charlie show on BBC Radio 1.
Rosie Ramsay
Podcaster, TV host, author and author Rosie Ramsey is the first celebrity confirmed for the Christmas special, produced by BBC Studios and she will be paired up with Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer, Neil Jones.
Speaking about signing up, Rosie Ramsey said, “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! I also absolutely LOVE Christmas, and my partner Neil is lovely, so this is just perfect. Best. Christmas. Ever!”
Rosie co-hosts the critically acclaimed podcast Sh**ged. Married. Annoyed with husband Chris Ramsey. She is a co-host of The Chris & Rosie Ramsey Show which will return for a second series next year on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. Known for her hilariously real, brutally honest depiction of her everyday life, she has amassed an army of followers on social media.
The news was revealed on Wednesday 30th November on BBC One’s Morning Live.
Remember if you're looking for the perfect Christmas gift for Strictly fans then why not purchase a ticket to the upcoming Strictly Come Dancing live Tour 2023 or alternatively the Strictly Professionals Tour 2023 before they sell out!
When is the Strictly Christmas special 2022?
The Strictly Christmas Special is pre-recorded on 7th December 2022 and will air on Christmas Day on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Speaking about the upcoming Christmas scheduling, Charlotte Moore, BBC chief content officer, said, “Nothing brings people across the UK together like Christmas on the BBC and this year we’ve got a world-class line-up like no other. Get ready to escape and be entertained with an incredible range of new festive shows across every genre. Live or on demand, there’s something for everyone."
Who won Strictly Christmas Special 2021?
Singer Anne-Marie and professional dancer Graziano Di Prima were crowned the winners of last years' Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special 2021. They danced the Cha Cha to Feliz Navidad by Gwen Stefani scoring 40 points. Reacting to their victory, Anne-Marie said: “I can’t believe it…. I’m so happy! I’m just so happy for Graziano!”
You can re-watch their dance below...
Related Strictly features:
- Where is Strictly Come Dancing filmed?
- Who is Will Mellor?
- When is the Strictly final?
- Who is Hamza Yassin on Strictly?
- Who left Strictly Come Dancing this week?
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