The glitterball is getting a festive makeover as the BBC begins to unveil the celebrity cast for the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 Christmas special. The iconic show is confirmed to return with a spectacular festive episode this December, bringing a dose of sequinned sparkle to the holiday season.
First Celebrity Contestant Revealed
The party has officially started with the announcement of the first star taking to the Christmas ballroom. Scarlett Moffatt, the presenter and TV personality, was confirmed for the special in a surprise announcement live on Strictly: It Takes Two on Friday, 21 November.
Scarlett, who first found fame on Gogglebox before winning I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! in 2016, will be partnered with professional dancer Vito Coppola. Expressing her excitement, Scarlett said the opportunity was a 'genuine personal and career highlight' and that she 'can't wait to live my best life on that dancefloor.'
What to Expect from the Festive Special
This year's special will see six couples in total compete for the title of Strictly Christmas Champion 2025. In a final hurrah for the beloved hosting duo, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will present the special one last time before their departure from the main show.
They will be joined by the full judging panel: Head Judge Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke. The traditional dance-off has been scrapped for this episode, with the winner instead being decided solely by the votes of the studio audience.
Viewers can anticipate a winter wonderland set, dazzling group dances, and live music, providing the perfect entertainment for the post-Christmas dinner period.
How to Follow the Cast Announcements
The announcement of celebrities for the Strictly Christmas special is now underway. The next star confirmed for the line-up will be revealed on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show with Scott Mills on Monday, 24 November.
This article will be updated as more names are confirmed by the BBC. The festive special has previously served as a testing ground for future full-series contestants, as was the case with Nitro in 2024 before he joined series 23.
The confirmed line-up so far is:
- Scarlett Moffatt and Vito Coppola
