The glitterball is getting a festive makeover as the BBC begins to unveil the star-studded line-up for the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 Christmas special. The announcement party kicked off with a surprise live reveal, confirming the first famous face who will be trading mince pies for merengues this December.
Who is the first Strictly Christmas celebrity?
In a delightful twist on the Strictly: It Takes Two show on Friday, 21 November, presenter and TV personality Scarlett Moffatt was announced as the first contestant for the festive episode. The Gogglebox and I'm A Celebrity winner shared her excitement live on air, creating an unforgettable moment for fans.
Scarlett will be hitting the dancefloor with none other than professional dancer Vito Coppola. She expressed her joy, stating: "Strictly has always held a special place in my heart, so being part of the Christmas Special feels truly magical. It's the show that brings everyone together around the TV, and being part of that is a genuine personal and career highlight."
What to expect from the festive special
This year's special will feature six couples competing to be crowned the Strictly Christmas Champion 2025. In a treat for viewers, the episode will mark a final hurrah for the show's beloved presenting duo.
Despite announcing their departure from the main series after the conclusion of series 23, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will return to host the Christmas special one last time. They will be joined by the full judging panel, including Head Judge Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke.
The traditional dance-off has been scrapped for this special event. Instead, the winner will be decided solely by the votes of the live studio audience. The show promises a winter wonderland filled with dazzling group dances, live music, and festive cheer, offering the perfect entertainment for the post-Christmas dinner slump.
When will we know more?
The announcement of the full cast is now underway. The next celebrity contestant is scheduled to 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.
For avid Strictly fans, the Christmas special line-up often provides a tantalising hint of who might appear in the following year's main series. This was the case with Nito, who featured in the 2024 special before joining the cast for series 23.
The confirmed line-up so far is:
- Scarlett Moffatt and Vito Coppola
