Strictly Come Dancing returns for its annual Christmas special with an extra layer of poignancy this year. The 2025 festive installment will mark the final appearance of beloved hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who announced their departure from the show in October after 21 and 11 years respectively.
Six celebrity couples will compete for the coveted Strictly Christmas Champion title in what promises to be an emotional yet dazzling celebration of dance, featuring a diverse lineup that includes Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt paired with Vito Coppola, All Saints singer Melanie Blatt with Kai Widdrington, EastEnders actor Nicholas Bailey partnered with Luba Mushtuk, Gladiators’ Jodie Ounsley (Fury) dancing with Neil Jones, former Westlife member Brian McFadden, and comedian Babatunde Aléshé with Nancy Xu.
The judging panel—Head Judge Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke—will provide their signature mix of encouragement, critique, and festive cheer before the studio audience votes to determine the winner.
The Complete Christmas 2025 Lineup: Six Couples Battle for Glory
Scarlett Moffatt & Vito Coppola – The 35-year-old television personality from Gogglebox and winner of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! 2016 was the first celebrity announced for the Christmas special.
Scarlett expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity: “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.” She’s particularly excited for her two-year-old son Jude to see his mummy dancing.
However, her participation has sparked some controversy. Scarlett is a former competitive ballroom dancer who competed during her childhood and teenage years. She previously stated it would be “unfair” for her to appear on Strictly due to her dance background, leading some fans to question her involvement.
Melanie Blatt & Kai Widdrington – The 50-year-old singer best known as a member of the iconic 1990s girl group All Saints was announced as the second celebrity on Scott Mills’ Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2.
All Saints achieved massive success during the late 1990s and early 2000s, earning five UK number one hits and two BRIT Awards, with over 10 million albums sold globally. The band’s hits included “Never Ever,” “Pure Shores,” and “Black Coffee.”
Jodie Ounsley (Fury from Gladiators) & Neil Jones – The 24-year-old brings her athletic prowess from her roles as Gladiators’ Fury and as a professional rugby player.
Notably, Jodie is the world’s first deaf female international rugby sevens player, making her participation particularly groundbreaking. She stated: “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 & Luba Mushtuk – The 54-year-old EastEnders veteran who recently returned to Albert Square as Doctor Anthony Trueman brings his acting experience to the ballroom.
Bailey expressed excitement tinged with family pressure: “I’m really excited to be doing this, almost as excited as my wife and daughters are!” His quarter-century connection to EastEnders makes him a recognizable face for BBC audiences.
Brian McFadden & Partner TBA – The former Westlife member completes the musical contingent in the Christmas special lineup. Westlife achieved phenomenal success during the late 1990s and 2000s as one of Ireland and the UK’s most successful boy bands.
Babatunde Aléshé & Nancy Xu – The comedian rounds out the six-person lineup, bringing his comedic sensibility to the dancefloor.
Babatunde revealed his dance background: “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.” His partnership with Nancy Xu promises energetic and entertaining performances.
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman: An Era Ends
The 2025 Christmas special carries emotional weight as the final appearance for hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who shocked fans with their October departure announcement.
Tess Daly, who has presented Strictly since the very first series in 2004 (21 years ago), has become synonymous with the show’s identity. Her warm, elegant hosting style and genuine enthusiasm for the competitors have made her a beloved figure.
Claudia Winkleman joined as a main presenter in 2014 after a decade hosting the companion show Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two. Her distinctive style—characterized by heavy eyeliner, sharp wit, and self-deprecating humor—has complemented Daly’s approach perfectly, creating one of British television’s most successful presenting partnerships.
Kate Phillips, BBC’s Chief Content Officer, described the moment as “the end of an era,” stating: “They both been incredible hosts from the very start of the show; their passion and dedication has gone above and beyond.”
The Christmas special will serve as their emotional farewell, with no replacement hosts announced as of late November 2025.
The Judging Panel: Christmas Scores and Festive Feedback
The familiar judging panel will return for the Christmas special, providing their signature mix of technical critique, encouragement, and holiday-themed commentary.
Shirley Ballas (Head Judge) – The former professional dancer and Latin champion has served as Head Judge since 2017, bringing technical expertise and genuine warmth to her assessments.
Craig Revel Horwood – The Australian-British choreographer and director, known for his sharp tongue and exacting standards, has been a judge since the show’s 2004 inception. His signature “fab-u-lous” and willingness to deliver harsh critiques makes him both feared and beloved.
Motsi Mabuse – The South African professional dancer joined as a judge in 2019, replacing Dame Darcey Bussell. Her energetic, enthusiastic judging style and technical knowledge have made her a popular addition.
Anton Du Beke – The former professional dancer transitioned to the judging panel in 2021, replacing Bruno Tonioli. His insider perspective as a 18-year Strictly professional brings unique authority to his assessments.
The judges will provide scores and commentary, but unlike the main series, the studio audience will determine the winner through voting, making the Christmas special a genuinely democratic celebration.
Previous Christmas Special Winners and Format Evolution
The Strictly Christmas special has become a beloved annual tradition since its inception, typically airing on Christmas Day in a prime post-lunch timeslot designed to provide festive entertainment for families.
2024 Christmas Winner: Tayce, the RuPaul’s Drag Race star, became the first drag artist to win the Christmas special, partnered with Kai Widdrington. Their energetic cha-cha routine to Kylie and Dannii Minogue’s “100 Degrees” earned a perfect score of 40 points from the judges, though ultimately the studio audience determined their victory.
Previous Christmas winners have occasionally returned for the main series. JB Gill and Jamie Borthwick, both Christmas special winners, later competed in full series, suggesting future possibilities for 2025’s Christmas champion.
Historically, Christmas specials featured returning contestants from previous series competing again for festive glory. The 2020 special was notably different—presented as a compilation of the 25 most memorable dances due to COVID-19 restrictions rather than a competition.
Production Details and Behind-the-Scenes
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special is produced by BBC Studios Entertainment Production for the BBC, demonstrating the corporation’s continued investment in the franchise.
Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC, commissioned the special. Sarah James serves as Executive Producer for BBC Studios, while Kim Allinson is the Christmas Series Editor for Strictly. Jo Wallace is the Senior Commissioning Editor for the BBC.
The special is typically filmed in December (often early-to-mid December) and kept under wraps until its Christmas Day broadcast. This production timeline allows for festive set design, costume creation, and choreography refinement while maintaining secrecy about routines and outcomes.
Production promises “a winter wonderland full of festive magic, dazzling group dances, live music and more”—indicating substantial investment in set design, lighting, and musical performances beyond the six competitive routines.
The Cultural Significance: Why Strictly Christmas Matters
The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special has evolved into a British cultural institution, representing more than just entertainment. For many households, watching Strictly on Christmas Day has become as traditional as Christmas dinner itself.
The show provides:
- Family-friendly entertainment accessible across generations
- Escapist glamour during a time often associated with domestic chaos
- Shared cultural experience in an era of fragmented media consumption
- Post-meal relaxation perfectly timed for the infamous “Christmas slump”
The 2025 special’s emotional weight—serving as Tess and Claudia’s farewell—adds additional cultural resonance. Viewers will be witnessing television history as an era definitively ends.
When and Where to Watch
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special 2025 will air on BBC One on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025, with the exact broadcast time to be confirmed by BBC scheduling.
The special will also be available on BBC iPlayer for on-demand streaming, allowing viewers who miss the live broadcast or want to rewatch the performances to access the content at their convenience.
Expect the broadcast to occupy a prime afternoon/early evening timeslot, traditionally positioned after the King’s Christmas message and family meal consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Strictly Christmas special air?
The special airs on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025, on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with the exact time to be confirmed.
Who are the six celebrity contestants?
Scarlett Moffatt, Melanie Blatt, Nicholas Bailey, Jodie Ounsley, Brian McFadden, and Babatunde Aléshé.
Why is this Christmas special particularly significant?
It marks the final appearance of hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman after 21 and 11 years respectively.
How is the winner determined?
Unlike the main series where judges’ scores and public votes combine, the Christmas special winner is determined solely by studio audience vote after all performances.
Will there be professional group dances?
Yes, the special promises “dazzling group dances” alongside the six competitive routines.
Who won the 2024 Christmas special?
Drag artist Tayce and partner Kai Widdrington won with a perfect-scoring cha-cha routine.
Has Scarlett Moffatt danced before?
Yes, Scarlett is a former competitive ballroom dancer from her childhood and teenage years, which has sparked some controversy about fairness.
Who are the judges?
The judging panel consists of Shirley Ballas (Head Judge), Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke.
How long is the Christmas special?
Previous Christmas specials have run approximately 60-75 minutes, though the exact 2025 runtime hasn’t been confirmed.
Where can I watch if I miss the live broadcast?
The special will be available on BBC iPlayer for catch-up viewing following the Christmas Day broadcast
