Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special's full line-up confirmed

It wouldn't be Christmas without the Strictly Come Dancing special.

The full line-up of celebrities taking part in the festive edition of the show has been confirmed, with spin-off show Strictly: It Takes Two unveiling Josh Widdicombe, Tayce, Vogue Williams, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Tamzin Outhwaite and Billy Monger.

Often stars on the Christmas series will go onto star on the main series of the show, having got the bug for Strictly. This year's contestant Jamie Borthwick previously won the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special with professional dancer Nancy Xu, while JB Gill won in 2012. So keep your eye out for who might be a good fit for the 2025 Strictly series.

Strictly's Christmas episode is a festive favourite for many and every year the BBC ballroom is transformed into a winter wonderland, just weeks after the celebrity has lifted the Glitter Ball trophy in the main series.

In the festive special, six celebrities will compete for the Strictly Christmas Champion 2024 crown. There is no public vote at home and the show is pre-recorded ahead of airing on Christmas Day.

Instead, the winner is decided by the voting studio audience and the Strictly judges — Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and head judge Shirley Ballas.

Billy Monger

Racing driver and TV presenter Billy Monger has joined the festive cast as the final celebrity taking part in Strictly's Christmas special this year.

Monger, who took part in last year's Celebrity Race Across The World, will partner Nadiya Bychkova in the episode set to air on Christmas Day.

The driver and TV commentator had to have both legs amputated after a collision at the Donington Park track in 2017, but returned to racing and won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Helen Rollason Award for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity. He also recently took part in the Ironman World Championships, breaking the world record for a double amputee.

He said: "I've spent the last 12 months training 20 hours a week for an Ironman world record attempt, but the thought of donning sequins in front of Craig Revel Horwood fills me with a fear I've never experienced before. This is about as far from my comfort zone as it can get!

"My family are big Strictly fans, so I'm doing it for them and to raise awareness for what I’m doing for Comic Relief next year. I'm just hoping my leg doesn't fall off mid-dance!"

Tamzin Outhwaite

Former EastEnders star Tamzin Outhwaite has starred in many a festive special from Albert Square, but she'll get a more lighthearted Christmas Day appearance this year as she joins the Strictly ballroom.

Outhwaite is also known for her roles in New Tricks and Hotel Babylon, and has recently appeared in theatre productions of Abigail's Party and Noises Off.

She will be dancing with Nikita Kuzmin and said: "I’m so excited to swap the stage for the Strictly ballroom this Christmas. I’m used to performing in front of a live audience, but this is a whole new experience. I can’t wait to immerse myself in all things glitter and sequins, let’s hope the judges show Nikita and I some extra festive cheer this Christmas!"

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey

Better known to many as Gladiators star Nitro, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey is forging ahead with his primetime TV takeover after a successful run on Celebrity MasterChef earlier this year.

The former Olympian and gold medal winning sprinter, who won BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year in 2005, is known for his competitive spirit so he could be one to look out for on the dancefloor this Christmas.

Aikines-Aryeetey was announced for the festive cast on It Takes Two and will be partnering Nancy Xu, who was recently knocked out of the main series with Shayne Ward.

The Gladiator said: "Strictly...are you ready?! Nitro’s blasting onto the ballroom floor this Christmas! I’m swapping my trainers for dancing shoes, and trust me, I’m bringing the power, the energy and the moves! This December I'm gonna light up that dancefloor and crank the Christmas spirit all the way up. Let’s do this!"

Aikines-Aryeetey is sure to benefit from some advice from Gladiators co-star and fellow former sprinter Montell Douglas, who is currently competing in the 2024 series of Strictly alongside Johannes Radebe.

Vogue Williams

Irish broadcaster Vogue Williams will take to the Strictly dance floor with Carlos Gu for the Christmas special. She was the third celebrity announced for the festive edition. The 39-year-old presenter, podcaster, DJ and fitness expert is a familiar face on ITV's Lorraine, Channel 4's Steph's Packed Lunch, who is married to Spencer Matthews.

Talking about taking part, Williams said: "I’m so excited to join the Strictly family! Carlos would have more of a chance of winning a Nobel prize than turning me into a good dancer but I am determined to try my very best! I’m loving it so far, bring on the Ballroom floor."

This isn't Williams' first rodeo though. In 2012, she took part in Australia's Strictly equivalent Dancing With The Stars where she was eliminated in the third week of the competition.

In 2023, Williams said that competing in DWTS ruled her out of Strictly saying: "You're not allowed to do both. So I never ever get asked to do [Strictly]." She also said having three children meant she wouldn't have the time to train for it either.

Looking back at her time in the aussie reality show she said: "I'm an absolutely crap dancer. I'm one of those ones that never got better. As the weeks went on, I think I might have got slightly worse. I cannot dance."

Tayce

Drag Race star Tayce was the second celebrity confirmed for the 2024 Strictly Christmas special, and she will be paired with professional dancer Kai Widdrington. The Welsh-born Drag artist, model and presenter was a finalist on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 2 in 2020.

Read more: How Jamie Borthwick struck gold on Strictly's Christmas special

She is often dubbed the "Naomi Campbell of Drag" and she models across the world in runway fashion shows. She has presented on BBC Radio 1, MTV and Sky. Tayce performs her drag act globally and has also released her own rap single.

About taking part in the Christmas special, Tayce said: "I cannot wait to sleigh on the Strictly Ballroom floor. My partner and I are going to dance for our lives! In all seriousness, it’s an incredible honour to be the first Drag artist to be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing. I hope I do all of my Drag Race and Welsh fans proud! Sign me up for all the glitz, glam and discoballs."

Josh Widdicombe

Josh Widdicombe is the first name confirmed for the 2024 Christmas special and he will be paired with Karen Hauer who is the longest serving professional dancer on the series.

The comedian is best known for starring on thirty series of Channel 4’s The Last Leg and he co-hosts the podcast Parenting Hell with Rob Beckett. Now the dad faces an entirely different challenge with the Strictly Christmas special.

Widdicombe admitted he is terrified. He jested: "I am utterly terrified this will end in humiliation and worried I’m going to be so bad I will ruin Christmas for the nation. Why have I done this?"

Strictly is worlds away from Widdicombe's usual TV appearances on comedy panel shows including: Smart TV, A League Of Their Own, Have I Got News For You and Taskmaster.

But will Widdicombe waltz his way to victory?

Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Christmas Day.