Strictly Christmas special: Songs and dances revealed
Six celebs will be taking part on Christmas Day
Last updated 5 hours ago
The iconic Strictly ballroom will be transformed into a festive wonderland again this year, as six famous faces take to the dancefloor as they try to become the Christmas Champion of Strictly Come Dancing.
Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will oversee the festivities for their final time, while Head Judge Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke will all be on hand to dish out sleigh-loads of advice, Christmas cheer and the odd lump of coal - before the voting studio audience will decide who wins.
Who is taking part?
All six celebs have now been announced for the 2025 Strictly special, including the latest contestant, singer Brian McFadden, along with Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt and All Saints singer Melanie Blatt.
Check out the Christmas line-up below:
Scarlett Moffatt
Best known for: TV personality
Paired with: Vito Coppola
Scarlett said: "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."
Melanie Blatt
Best known for: Singer
Paired with: Kai Widdrington
Mel said: "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."
Jodie Ounsley (AKA Fury)
Best known for: Gladiators athlete and Rugby player
Paired with: Neil Jones
Jodie said: "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!"
Nicholas Bailey
Best known for: EastEnders actor
Paired with: Luba Mushtuk.
Nicholas said: "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."
Babatunde Aléshé
Best known for: Comedian, Podcaster and Actor
Paired with: Nancy Xu
Babatunde said: "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."
Brian McFadden
Best known for: Singer/songwriter
Paired with: Michelle Tsiakkas
Brian 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."
When is the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special on?
The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 5.30pm on Christmas Day.
What songs and dances will feature?
Getting in the Christmas spirit, this year's festive special will of course feature Christmas songs! All celebs will perform one routine, check them out below:
Scarlett Moffatt: Cha Cha Cha to 'DJ Play A Christmas Song' by Cher.
Melanie Blatt: American Smooth to 'Santa Baby' by Eartha Kitt.
Jodie Ounsley: Street-style routine to 'Red Christmas' by Kylie Cantral.
Nicholas Bailey: Viennese Waltz to the 'It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year' by Andy Williams.
Babatunde Aléshé: Charleston to 'Santa Claus is Coming To Town'.
Brian McFadden: Jive to**** 'Run Rudolph Run' by Chuck Berry.
Now take a look at all of the Christmas TV specials for 2025:
Celebrity Catchphrase Christmas Special
Air date: 8pm on Sunday 7th December
Channel: ITV/STV
Mel Giedroyc, Bill Bailey, and Vanessa Williams join Stephen Mulhern for a festive version of Celebrity Catchphrase.
Pete Wicks: For Dogs' Sake Christmas special
Air date: 9pm on Monday 8th December
Channel: U&W
Ahead of the third series in 2026, the lovely Pete Wicks is back for a Christmas edition of For Dogs' Sake. Pete visits a homeless shelter supported by the charity and hears from residents just how much their dogs mean to them. There's also some heartwarming reunions with some much-loved dogs from previous series.
The Only Way Is Essexmas
Air date: 9pm on Monday 8th December
Channel: ITV2
The TOWIE gang are back with a 90-minute Christmas special ahead of the new series in 2026.
Beyond Paradise Christmas Special
Air date: 9.15pm on Sunday 21st December
Channel: BBC One
In Shipton Abbott, the guest arrivals docking into the Devon seaside town for the holidays include Adrian Edmondson, James Lance, and Jonny Weldon.
The Chase Celebrity Christmas
Air date: 5.55pm on Monday 22nd December
Channel: ITV/STV
Bradley Walsh and the chasers return for a 2025 Christmas special.
Richard Osman’s Festive House of Games
Air date: 7pm on Monday 22nd December
Channel: BBC Two
Richard Osman will host a festive special of popular game show House of Games, featuring Molly Rainford, Alex Brooker, Joanna Page and Rhys Darby.
Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook-Off 2025
Air date: 8pm on Monday 22nd December
Channel: BBC One
GK Barry, Kola Bokinni, Nikki Fox, Iain Stirling will take part in the Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook-Off for 2025!
Christmas on the Farm
Air date: 9pm on Monday 22nd December
Channel: Channel 5
Christmas has arrived at Cannon Hall Farm, where Helen Skelton, Jules Hudson and JB Gill host a magical 90-minute celebration packed with festive traditions, heartwarming stories and familiar faces. With the sound of the Skipton Brass Band filling the air, the farm becomes a winter wonderland of music, animals and seasonal cheer.
Amanda & Alan's Spanish Christmas
Air date: 9pm on Monday 22nd December
Channel: BBC One
Following the success of their renovation series, Amanda Holden and Alan Carr have secured themselves a Christmas special this year, which will see the pair head back to back to the village of Moclín in southern Spain.
The Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas special
Air date: 8pm on Tuesday 23rd December
Channel: Channel 5
This year's festive special of The Madame Blanc Mysteries is a bumper 120 minutes long!
The Great British Sewing Bee: Celebrity Christmas Special 2025
Air date: 7.25pm on Christmas Eve
Channel: BBC One
Lucy Beaumont, Anton Du Beke, Susan Wokoma and Tom Wilson will test their crafty hands in a series of Yuletide-themed tasks on this year's Sewing Bee Christmas special.
All Creatures Great & Small Christmas Special
Air date: 9pm on Christmas Eve
Channel: Channel 5
It's Christmas 1945, the first peacetime Christmas after the war. With Helen feeling under the weather, it's fallen on James to take on the Darrowby Nativity play.
Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Christmas Fishing
Air date: 9pm on Christmas Eve
Channel: BBC Two
Comedians Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse entertain the masses with another Gone Christmas Fishing.
Two Doors Down Christmas Special
Air date: 10pm on Christmas Eve
Channel: BBC One
The residents of Latimer Crescent will congregate at Beth and Eric's house to celebrate Christmas.
Celebrity Gladiators
Air date: 3.35pm on Christmas Day
Channel: BBC One
Sam Thompson, Joe Wicks MBE, Nicola Adams OBE and Vogue Williams will all compete in the second series of Celebrity Gladiators.
The Weakest Link Christmas special
Air date: 4.45pm on Christmas Day
Channel: BBC One
Romesh Ranganathan hosts a festive edition of The Weakest Link, as a bunch of celebs attempt to raise money for charity.
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special
Air date: 5.30pm on Christmas Day
Channel: BBC One
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will oversee the festivities for their final time, as six celebs take to the dancefloor hoping to impress judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke.
Michael McIntyre's Christmas Wheel
Air date: 6.45pm on Christmas Day
Channel: BBC One
Michael McIntryre welcomes Ellie Taylor, Judi Love, Chris McCausland, Tony Bellow, Michael McIntyre, Kelly Cates, Jason Manford and George Clarke to The Wheel for a festive edition!
The Great Peep Show Christmas Bake Off
Air date: 7.40pm on Christmas Day
Channel: Channel 4
10 years after the final episode of Peep Show hit our TV screens, five members of the cast have reunited for a Great British Bake Off Christmas special. David Mitchell (Mark Corrigan), Olivia Colman (Sophie Hortensia Chapman), Isy Suttie (Dobby), Matt King (Super Hans) and Sophie Winkleman (Big Suze) will roll up the sleeves of their festive outfits to tackle a trio of seasonal baking challenges on The Great Peep Show Christmas Bake Off.
Bullseye Christmas special
Air date: 8.15pm on Christmas Day
Channel: ITV/STV
Freddie Flintoff returns this year for a brand new Bullseye Christmas special. Contestants Leanne and Tina, Jacq and Chris and Matt and Sanjay will all take part.
Call The Midwife Christmas special
Air date: 8.15pm on Christmas Day (part one) and 8.30pm on Boxing Day (part two)
Channel: BBC One
Back for the 14 annual special, this year the Call The Midwife Christmas special will be made-up of two 60 minute episodes, set in both Poplar and Hong Kong.
The 1% Club Christmas special
Air date: 9.15pm on Christmas Day
Channel: ITV/STV
Lee Mack is back with a Christmas special of popular game show The 1% Club.
Amandaland Christmas special
Air date: 9.15pm on Christmas Day
Channel: BBC One
Hit comedy series Amandaland is back with a Christmas special for 2025. Alongside cast members Lucy Punch, Joanna Lumley and Philippa Dunne, Jennifer Saunders will join the cast for the Christmas special, making it the first scripted on-screen reunion for Jennifer and Joanna since Absolutely Fabulous.
Gogglebox Best Of 2025
Air date: 9pm on Christmas Day
Channel: Channel 4
Romesh Ranganathan's Parents' Evening
Air date: 10.15pm
Channel: ITV/STV
Following the success of the main series, Romesh Ranganathan's Parents' Evening is getting a Christmas special this year. Josh Widdicombe, Motsi Mabuse and Larry Lamb will appear with their children.
Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas Special
Air date: 10.15pm on Christmas Day
Channel: BBC One
There's going to be two Mrs Brown's Boys special this year, one for Christmas and one for New Year!
The Masked Singer Christmas Special
Air date: 7.30pm on Boxing Day
Channel: ITV/STV
Mo Gilligan, Davina McCall, Maya Jama and Jonathan Ross are back on the panel for a festive special of The Masked Singer! Can they work out which celebs are behind the masks?!
Would I Lie to You? at Christmas
Air date: 7pm on Boxing Day
Channel: BBC One
With Rob Brydon as host, and Lee Mack and David Mitchell as team captains, the group are joined by Jools Holland, Helen George, Swarzy Shire and David Walliams.
The Repair Shop at Christmas
Air date: 7.30pm on Boxing Day
Channel: BBC One
Dame Helen Mirren, Julia Donaldson and Rob Brydon stop by The Repair Shop for this year's Christmas special.
The Festive Pottery Showdown
Air date: 7.45pm on Boxing Day
Channel: Channel 4
Celebrities Tim Vine, Sarah Hadland, Colin Murray, and Amber Gill will take part in this year's The Festive Pottery Showdown.
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Christmas Special
Air date: 9pm on Boxing Day
Channel: ITV/STV
The Celebrity Traitors star Joe Marler and comedian Katherine Ryan joining Jeremy Clarkson for this year's Christmas special.
Ant & Dec's Limitless Win: Christmas Special
Air date: Saturday 27th December
Channel: ITV/STV
Ahead of the new series in 2026, Ant and Dec are back for a Christmas special of popular gameshow Limitless Win. They'll be joined by Jamie Redknapp and Amanda Holden, as they attempt to climb the ladder.
You Bet! Christmas special
Air date: Saturday 27th December
Channel: ITV/STV
Stephen Mulhern will be joined by a celebrity panel made-up of Rob Beckett, Nick Mohammed and Alison Hammond for this year's You Bet! Christmas special.
Wheel of Fortune Christmas special
Air date: Saturday 27th December
Channel: ITV/STV
As well as being commissioned for a third series, Wheel of Fortune will return for another Christmas special this year, with Graham Norton as host.
The Good Ship Murder Christmas special
Air date: 9pm on Saturday 27th December
Channel: Channel 5
Ahead of the third series in early 2026, Shayne Ward and Catherine Tyldesley are returning as Jack and Kate for The Good Ship Murder Christmas special.
The Celebrity Apprentice
Air date: 9pm on Monday 29th December and Tuesday 30th December
Channel: BBC One
The Celebrity Apprentice will see a bunch of celebs head to Lapland to take part in a task, in turn helping to raise money for Children in Need.
New Years Bake Off special
Air date: 7.40pm on New Year's Day
Channel: Channel 4
Former contestants Selasi Gmormittah, Van Stones, Briony Williams, Rahual Mandal, Giuseppe Dell'Anno, Tasha Stones, Andy Ryan, and Nelly Ghafffar will all return for the New Year's special of Bake Off.
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