The Christmas adverts are out, the shops are decked with holly, baubles and all manner of yuletide cheer and with just over a month to go before the big day, panic is setting in! How am I going to lay my hands on Monty the penguin? Will I ever find a decent party dress? Before you even start worrying about how you are going to fit everyone around the table this year, you need to stop and ask yourself what Christmas is really about… The Strictly Christmas Special of course! The line-up has been announced and to quote Len it’s going to be ‘full of flash bang wallop’.
With eight celebrities still in Series 12 and everything to play for we apologies from distracting you from Pixie and Trent’s Charleston, but it is essential you book the remote now. For this year the BBC are bringing back six of our old favourites from Strictly Past. Each couple have been asked to produce a panto-themed routine to present to our four fffffaaaaabbbbbuuuullllloooouuuuussss judges and best of all Brucey will be back to ensure that it is indeed a Merry Christmas.
Jiving around the Christmas Tree will be:
- Sophie Ellis-Bexter: Last year’s runner up, singer and model she will be swapping her partner Brendan Cole for Alijaz Skorjanec, who helped waltz Abbey Clancy to victory.
- Lisa Riley: The people’s favourite Lisa Riley, who famously played Mandy Dingle in Emmerdale, will be returning to the ballroom. She will be coupled once again with Robin Windsor, who is recently returned after undergoing operations on his back.
- Louis Smith: Strictly 2012 Champion and medal winning Olympic gymnast will be teamed up with Aliona Vilani.
- Rachel Stevens: Runner up in 2008, Rachel swaps Vincent Simone for one of this season’s new professionals Tristan MacManas. This will be the third time the pop-singer has appeared on a Strictly Christmas Special.
- Chris Hollins: Watchdog presenter, Chris won Strictly Come Dancing series 7 in 2009 with Ola Jordan. For the Christmas special he will be dancing with Iveta Lukosiute.
- Russell Grant: Last but certainly not least, Russell rivalled even Anton Du Beke for the hearts of the nation. He also appeared as a Christmas fairy alongside Ann Widdecombe in the 2012 Special. This year he will be dancing once again, this time with Joanne Clifton.