This year's Strictly Christmas special will see six brand new celebrities perform a Christmas-inspired routine, in a change to recent years where former celebs returned to the ballroom.
They'll be hoping to impress judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Head Judge Shirley Ballas as well as the voting audience. But who will lift the coveted Strictly Come Dancing Christmas trophy?
The celebrities confirmed to be taking part and their professional partners are...
Jay Blades MBE
Modern furniture restorer and Presenter
Jay Blades is the first celebrity contestant confirmed for the Christmas special and will be paired with Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer, Luba Mushtuk.
Jay Blades MBE is best known for presenting The Repair Shop, Jay’s Yorkshire Workshop, Money For Nothing and Jay Blades’ Home Fix. In addition to his television work, Jay spends time running workshops and motivating disadvantaged people in the community.
Talking about taking on the Strictly Christmas special, Jay said "I’m super excited, times two! One, because I’m going to learn a new dance apart from the ‘Dad’ dance, and two because I’m going to be on Strictly! It’s a show that I’ve always admired, and I can’t wait to see how I perform!"
Fred Sirieix
TV Personality
Fred Sirieix is the second celebrity contestant confirmed for the Christmas special and will be paired with Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer, Dianne Buswell.
Fred Sirieix is a TV personality, author and maître d'hôtel, known for his role on Channel 4's First Dates and the spin-off show, First Dates Hotel. He also presents BBC Two's Remarkable Places To Eat and stars in ITV’s hit series Gino, Gordon And Fred.
Talking about taking on the Strictly Christmas special, Fred said "I absolutely love Christmas so I’m delighted to be taking part in the Strictly Christmas special and to be partnered with the magnificent Dianne. I hope my dance moves bring some Christmas joy to everybody watching at home and don’t make the judges say, bah, Humbug!"
Mel Giedroyc
TV Presenter
Mel Giedroyc is the third celebrity contestant confirmed for the Christmas special and will be paired with Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer, Neil Jones.
Mel is an actress, comedian, writer, television and radio presenter. She has presented BBC’s Children in Need, Let It Shine and Eurovision – You Decide. Along with her comedy partner Sue Perkins, she co-hosted seven series of The Great British Bake Off and together they starred in the Sky series Hitmen.
Talking about taking on the Strictly Christmas special, Mel said "I don’t think I’ve been this excited about Christmas since I got my first guinea-pig from Santa in 1978."
Moira Stuart OBE
Broadcasting Legend
Moira Stuart OBE is the fourth celebrity contestant confirmed for the Christmas special and will be paired with Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer, Aljaž Škorjanec.
Moira is a multi-award-winning newsreader, and programme presenter on TV and radio. Her career in radio and television spans five decades. During more than 40 years at the BBC, she presented almost every news bulletin, including the flagship Six O’Clock News and Nine O’Clock News, various programmes and documentaries, as well as news bulletins on the BBC Radio 2 Chris Evans Breakfast Show. She joined Classic FM in February 2019 where she hosts Moira Stuart Meets… and Moira Stuart’s Hall of Fame Concert.
Talking about taking on the Strictly Christmas special, Moira said "I’m really looking forward to the Strictly Christmas special. I've loved dancing for as long as I can remember. In fact it even helped me try to keep warm in my early coldwater flat..."
Anne-Marie
Popstar
Anne-Marie is the fifth celebrity contestant confirmed for the Christmas special and will be paired with Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer, Graziano Di Prima.
Anne-Marie is an award-winning, platinum-selling pop singer. She is a nine x BRIT Award nominee, including Best British Female Solo Artist. In 2021, Anne-Marie released her acclaimed second studio album Therapy, released her debut book, You Deserve Better and became a winning coach on ITV’s The Voice UK.
Talking about taking on the Strictly Christmas special, Anne-Marie said "I’m excited to take part in the Strictly Christmas special. I love the show, and who would turn down a dance with Graziano?!"
Adrian Chiles
Broadcaster
Adrian Chiles is the final celebrity contestant confirmed for the Christmas special and will be paired with Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer, Jowita Przystal.
Adrian Chiles is a broadcaster and writer who has presented a number of TV shows across the BBC and ITV ranging from football to business programming, documentaries to talk shows. Adrian is also a presenter on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Talking about taking on the Strictly Christmas special, Adrian said "Discouragingly, every one of my family and friends with whom I’ve shared this news, has reacted with horror. They can’t believe I’m doing it, and neither can I. Thoughts and prayers with whichever poor dancer is lumbered with me."
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special will air on Christmas Day on BBC One