Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez paired for Strictly 2019 Christmas Special
This is going to be so good!
Last updated 13th Nov 2019
Strictly Come Dancing 2019 is already over halfway through, if you can believe that! As the year nears its end, so does this year's series of the show - and although the show is set to end two weeks before Christmas Day, show bosses have announced the line-up for the Christmas Special, so we won't be without Strictly for long!
Now that the celebrities have been announced, Strictly higher-ups have also revealed which professionals will be taking to the stage with the celebs - and we're SO happy that Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez have been paired up together!
The couple, who welcomed baby Mia in July 2019, found love together on the show in 2017, despite not being dance partners, so fans are over the moon that we'll now get to see them dance together.
Gorka has shared a photo of how their training together is going, writing, 'The question is... would I be the BOSS in the rehearsal studio?? 🤔 First day done!! Love that we get to dance together for the first time!! 🥰 Ps: hope the arm lock for the lifts doesn’t translate to Gem as a head lock.'
Fans of the pair loved hearing the news that they're practising already, with many taking to the comments to share their joy. Dianne Buswell, who is also paired with her now-boyfriend from the show, wrote, 'Team double date,' whilst Gemma's friends Gethin Jones says, 'Footage from the training room ALONE worth watching!!!'
Once the 2019 winners are crowned, receiving the famous Glitterball Trophy, celebrities from previous years will come back to perform on the dancefloor once again and compete for the chance to win the Christmas Special.
The line-up was confirmed for this year's Strictly Christmas Special on Strictly: It Takes Two last week (5th Nov) - and here it is!
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special 2019: The confirmed line-up
Strictly Christmas 2019: The celebrity line-up...
Mark Wright
Former TOWIE star Mark Wright will be paired with Janette Manrara. He made it to the semi-final of Strictly in 2014, losing out to Caroline Flack and Pasha Kovalev.
Mark says, "It's been a while since I was on the dancefloor but I'm very much looking to forward to dusting off the dance shoes for Christmas! I can't wait to be back – let's get going!"
Gemma Atkinson
Ex-Emmerdale actress Gemma Atkinson is paired with her boyfriend, Gorka Marquez. she will be returning to the dancefloor after making it to the final in 2017, losing out to Joe McFadden and Katya Jones. She met her partner Gorka Marquez on the show, and the pair have been together ever since - welcoming baby Mia in July 2019.
Gemma says, "I had the absolute best time on Strictly and it completely changed my life so I am absolutely overjoyed to be returning to the dancefloor this Christmas with a new challenge, and of course to be back with the gang!"
Joe Sugg
Vlogger Joe Sugg is paired with his girlfriend Dianne Buswell. He was in the final of the 2018 series, missing out to Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton. He also met his now-girlfriend Diane Buswell on the show after they were paired up!
Joe says, "I'm really excited to have a go on the strictly ballroom floor again this Christmas. Strictly feels like a home away from home for me so I will be giving it my best shot and ending the year on a high."
Chizzy Akudolu
Holby City actress Chizzy Akudolu is paired with Graziano Di Prima. She was sadly the first celebrity to be voted out of Strictly 2017, but she's looking forward to giving it another go for this year's Christmas Special!
Chizzy says, "I am so excited to be coming back to Strictly this year, and being able to get back on the dancefloor once again! I'm still the biggest fan of Strictly so it's wonderful to be back with old friends, in front of and behind the camera, and hopefully some new ones for Christmas. Bring on the sparkle, and maybe an odd 10 – it is Christmas after all…!"
Debbie McGee
TV personality Debbie McGee is paired with Kevin Clifton. She made it to the final of Strictly 2017 with her partner Giovanni Pernice, missing out to Joe McFadden.
Debbie says, "I thought all my dreams came true two years ago when I was asked to do the series, but to be one of the rare people to be invited back to do the Christmas Special is the icing on the cake. I can't wait to be back dancing with my Strictly family."
Richard Arnold
News presenter Richard Arnold is partnered with Luba Mushtuk. He made it halfway through Strictly 2012 - the first with Dame Darcey Bussell on the judging panel.
Richard says, "I can't wait to get back out on the dance floor and throw shapes beneath the glitter ball once again. I just can't promise you'll recognise them or that they'll be in any particular order. What I can promise is that one of us will be a professional."
The celebrities will perform a Christmas-inspired routine and be judged by our main judging panel - Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood, and will also be hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
Although we don't know which of the professional dancers will be taking part in the Christmas Special 2019 just yet - let alone with celebrity they'll be partnered with - we will be finding out very soon, so keep your eyes peeled!
NOW WATCH: Craig Revel Horwood reveals his favourite Strictly Come Dancing moment of 2019
Tune into Northern Ireland’s number 1 for music, Cool FM on 97.4FM, online, on our Rayo app, your DAB radio, or say ‘Play Cool FM’ on your Smart Speaker. We play you the biggest hits from the world’s hottest artists, from Pete Snodden in the morning to the NI Hit 40.