In a result that surprised few viewers, Scarlett Moffatt and her professional partner Vito Coppola were crowned the winners of the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special on December 25, 2025.
A Festive Triumph Amidst Surreal Celebrations
The Gogglebox and I'm A Celebrity star closed the surreal but brilliant festive episode with a phenomenal Cha Cha. Dancing to Cher's 'DJ Play a Christmas Song', Moffatt delivered a routine worthy of a main series final, complete with spectacular lifts, lightning-fast footwork and expert precision. This earned her a perfect score of 40 from the judges, despite a night of other performances that were arguably overmarked in the Christmas spirit.
Ahead of the special, Moffatt was forced to shut down 'fix' claims, a notion made absurd by the light-hearted nature of the Christmas episode. Her electric performance was strategically saved for last, making the otherwise inconsequential episode genuinely exciting.
The Stark Contrast with the Main Series
However, Moffatt's triumph starkly highlighted what many see as Strictly Come Dancing's biggest flaw. Had she been competing in the regular series, where viewers often mercilessly target contestants with any prior dance experience, she would likely have faced severe online abuse.
This was exemplified in the most recent series by Love Island winner Amber Davies, a West End star who faced relentless trolling for her talent, and Lewis Cope, arguably one of the show's best ever dancers, who didn't even make the semi-final. The Christmas champion is decided by the studio audience, who this year wisely crowned the best dancer. This stands in contrast to the public vote, which has repeatedly proven unpredictable and, at times, unjust.
Could a Christmas Winner Shine on the Main Stage?
The article speculates that with weeks of training, Scarlett Moffatt could be an unbelievable talent on the main show. There is precedent, as EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick won the 2023 Christmas contest and then competed in the 2024 series, reaching week 10.
Yet, the piece questions whether it's worth it. It points to the 'completely unhinged reaction' to past contestants who have admitted to dance lessons. While former England footballer Karen Carney managed to win the Glitterball trophy despite teenage training, aided by her winning personality, the abuse endured by others like Amber Davies serves as a cautionary tale.
Ultimately, Scarlett Moffatt's deserved Christmas victory served as both a festive highlight and a pointed reminder of the double standard and often toxic scrutiny that defines the public's relationship with the main competition.
