This year's Strictly Christmas special will see six brand new celebrities take to the floor in a bid to be crowned Christmas Champion 2022.
They'll each 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...
Rosie Ramsey
Podcaster, TV host and author
Rosie Ramsey is the first celebrity confirmed for the Christmas Strictly special and will be paired with Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer, Neil Jones.
Rosie is a Podcaster, TV host and author. She co-hosts the critically acclaimed podcast Sh**ged. Married. Annoyed with husband Chris Ramsey. She is also co-host of The Chris & Rosie Ramsey Show which will return for a second series next year on BBC Two.
Known for her hilariously real, brutally honest depiction of her everyday life, she has amassed an army of followers on social media.
Speaking about taking part in the Strictly Christmas special, 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!"
Rickie Haywood–Williams
DJ and presenter
Rickie Haywood–Williams is the second celebrity confirmed for the Christmas Strictly special and will be paired with Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer, Luba Mushtuk.
Rickie is a DJ and presenter. He 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.
Speaking about taking part in the Strictly Christmas special, 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."
Alexandra Mardell
Actor
Alexandra Mardell is the third celebrity confirmed for the Christmas Strictly special and will be paired with Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer, Kai Widdrington.
Alexandra Mardell is an actor, best known for the role of Emma Brooker in ITV soap 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 in a lead role in the new ITV drama The Family Pile. She has also appeared in Vera, where she played the role of Kelly Horton.
Speaking about taking part in the Strictly Christmas special, Alexandra said "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!”
Larry Lamb
Stage and screen actor
Larry Lamb is the fourth celebrity confirmed for the Christmas Strictly special and will be paired with Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer, Nadiya Bychkova.
Larry Lamb is a stage and screen actor. who has starred in numerous TV series, playing iconic roles such as Mick Shipman in Gavin & Stacey and Archie Mitchell in EastEnders.
He's also a keen traveller, presenting Channel 5's Britain by Bike, which sees him and his son George cycle across Britain. And he regularly works with The One Show, presenting their history and heritage films.
Speaking about taking part in the Strictly Christmas special, 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."
Nicola Roberts
Popstar and actor
Nicola Roberts is the fifth celebrity confirmed for the Christmas Strictly special and will be paired with Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer, Giovanni Pernice.
Nicola Roberts is 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 West End 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 and in 2020 she was crowned the winner of the first series of ITV’s The Masked Singer UK.
Speaking about taking part in the Strictly Christmas special, 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!"
George Webster
TV presenter and actor
George Webster is the sixth and final celebrity confirmed for the Christmas Strictly special and will be paired with Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer, Amy Dowden.
Hailing from Leeds, 22-year-old George recently won a BAFTA and made history when he became the first presenter on CBeebies with Down Syndrome.
George 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 and will soon be seen in Something Special, Casualty and World on Fire.
He is also a public speaker, park runner and ambassador for the disability charity Mencap and also Yorkshire Dance.
Speaking about taking part in the Strictly Christmas special, 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 dancefloor."
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special will air Christmas Day on BBC One
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