Christmas is here, and that means one thing: a festive Strictly special is about to light up our screens.
On Christmas Day, six celebs - including Scarlett Moffatt, Brian McFadden, Melanie Blatt, Nicholas Bailey, and Babatunde Aléshé - will take to the famous ballroom for a one-off performance.
With their professional dance partners, they’ll aim to impress judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke for a chance to be crowned Christmas champion.
As the dancing kicks off, here’s everything you need to know about the confirmed celebrities, who they’ll be paired with, and who we think might take the festive crown.
Strictly Come Dancing 2025 Christmas special line-up
Below is a list of the celebs confirmed so far:
- Scarlett Moffatt
- Melanie Blatt
- Jodie Ounsley
- Nicholas Bailey
- Babatunde Aléshé
- Brian McFadden
For more on the cast keep scrolling.
Scarlett Moffatt
Age: 35
Job: Television personality and presenter
Instagram: scarlettmoffatt
Dance partner: Vito Coppola
TV presenter and former Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt was the first celeb to be announced for the festive special. She's best known for appearing on Gogglebox with her family from 2014, before going on to win I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!
She says: "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. I’m sure it’ll also introduce me to a few muscles I didn’t know I had. I can’t wait to live my best life on that dancefloor."
Our verdict: She won I'm a Celebrity and Strictly is a lot more glam, so at least she won't have to worry about any creepy crawlies distracting her on the dance floor. We'll have to wait and see what her dancing skills are like though...
Melanie Blatt
Age: 50
Job: Singer
Instagram: melanieblatt
Dance partner: Kai Widdrington
Melanie Blatt is a singer and cook who first gained international recognition in the 1990s as a member of the multi-platinum, award-winning group All Saints. During her time with the band, she achieved five UK number-one singles, won two BRIT Awards, and helped sell more than 10 million albums worldwide.
She was the second celeb confirmed for this year's show, saying: "If you can't have a dance at Christmas, when can you?! I'm so excited to meet Kai and start training to make this a dance to remember."
Our verdict: As a singer, Mel will have had to learn a dance move or two. That might not necessarily transfer to the ballroom, but we reckon she has a little rhythm, and with two-time Christmas special winner Kai by her side, the odds are in her favour.
Jodie Ounsley
Age: 24
Job: Athlete and brodcaster
Instagram: jodieounsley
Dance partner: Neil Jones
Jodie aka Fury on Gladiators, is trading the duel for the tango this Christmas. Jodie is a rugby player, athlete, broadcaster, and passionate advocate for the deaf community who has been challenging limits from the very beginning. Born profoundly deaf, she received a cochlear implant as a child, making her one of the youngest people in the UK to undergo the procedure.
On joining Strictly, she says: "I’m absolutely buzzing to be doing the Strictly Christmas Special. Being the first female rugby player means a lot to me too. I honestly can’t wait to get stuck in, I’m used to smashing into people so this is definitely going to be a challenge!"
Our verdict: As an athlete, Jodie certainly has the stamina it’ll take to keep up on the dance floor, but will she be able to master the technique?
Nicholas Bailey
Age: 54
Job: Actor
Twitter: ImNickBailey
Dance partner: Luba Mushtuk
Nicholas is swapping Walford Square for the ballroom this year. Best known for his role as Dr. Anthony Trueman on EastEnders, Nicholas first joined the BBC One soap 25 years ago before returning earlier this year after several guest appearances. With a career spanning over three decades, he has appeared in iconic TV series including Death in Paradise, Casualty, The Archers, Coronation Street, and Miranda. An accomplished stage actor, Nicholas has performed extensively across the UK and in the West End, with credits including Dreamgirls and Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap.
He says: "I’m really excited to be doing this, almost as excited as my wife and daughters are! Hopefully I’ll do them, Albert Square and Luba proud. Bring on the dancefloor."
Our verdict: With a background in music in musical theatre, we reckon Nicholas might just nail this one. The competitions between him and Mel, if you ask us.
Babatunde Aléshé
Age: 39
Job: Comedian
Instagram: babatundecomedian
Dance partner: Nancy Xu
Babatunde is an award-winning stand-up comedian, actor and podcaster, known for his UK-wide tours and upcoming international dates in 2026. He has featured on numerous TV shows including Taskmaster (series 18), Celebrity Gogglebox with Mo Gilligan, Live at the Apollo, Would I Lie to You?, and Richard Osman’s House of Games. In 2022, he lasted 18 days in the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! jungle and went on to win a Gold ARIAS award for his podcast Mission Imagination.
On joining the dancing show, he says: "I used to do a little dancing when I was in college. I used to do Street Locking and Break Dancing, but then I found comedy and pursued that instead. At 39 I’ve accepted that a good two-step is all I need to get by at any function, but I know that won't be enough for Strictly! Let's hope the old moves come back to me in time for Christmas."
Our verdict: Babatunde says he used to street dance as a kid, which might give him an unexpected edge… but will his performances be more comedy than competition?
Brian McFadden
Age: 45
Job: Singer-songwriter
Instagram: brianmcfadden123
Dance partner: Michelle Tsiakkas
Brian McFadden completes the line-up for this year's show. The Irish singer-songwriter first shot to fame as a member of Westlife, earning twelve number-one singles including 'Flying Without Wings' and 'World of Our Own.' He later embarked on a successful solo career, topping the charts and releasing four solo albums. In recent years, Brian has released two albums and toured extensively as one half of Boyzlife, his musical collaboration with Keith Duffy.
On joining the Strictly special, he said: "I’m delighted to be a part of the Strictly Christmas special. We are big fans of Strictly in our house so to be dancing on Christmas Day on such a magical show will make it a Christmas to remember."
Our verdict: Brian’s proven time and time again that he can deliver vocally - from Westlife classics to his own solo hits. But while the singing is a sure thing, the real curiosity now is whether his dance moves can keep up. Has he got the rhythm to match the records? Only time will tell..
The Strictly Come Dancing 2025 Christmas special will air on BBC One on Christmas Day.
