Six Celebs confirmed for Strictly Christmas Special

The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special is back…

BBC One has confirmed today all the celebrities taking part in the ballroom dance battle of the stars. As the dance floor at the Elstree Film and TV studios is once again transformed into a magical winter wonderland, the celebrities behind the all-star advent calendar doors this year are officially being revealed.

Expect festive cheer, jingle bells, mistletoe madness, bedazzling baubles and six celebrities all sleighing their way to Borehamwood in a bid to be crowned the Strictly Christmas Champion 2024.

In the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special each of the six couples will perform a festive fuelled routine in the hope of impressing the judges, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Head Judge Shirley Ballas, and the voting studio audience. But who will emerge the Christmas star of the evening, and lift the sought after Christmas trophy?

And who’s dancing for the Strictly 2024 Christmas Glitterball? It’s time to meet the Christmas Strictly stars…

Having a wonderful Christmas time the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special  of 2021 / BBC / Guy Levy

On the November 11th edition of Strictly: It Takes Two on BBC Two Josh Widdicombe was announced as the first celebrity included in 2024’s Christmas line up, he will be paired with Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Karen Hauer.

Stand-up comedian Widdicombe has starred in over thirty series of Channel 4’s The Last Leg as a team captain. Josh co-hosts the hugely successful podcast Parenting Hell with Rob Beckett and has written two Sunday Times Bestselling books. He has appeared on multiple comedy panel shows including Smart TV, QI, A League Of Their Own, Have I Got News For You and Taskmaster, to name a few. He’s performed onstage at the Royal Albert Hall for The Royal Variety Performance and hosted Live At The Apollo.  

“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?”  – Josh Widdicombe

On November 12th Strictly: It Takes Two also revealed the second celebrity included in 2024’s Christmas line up, Tayce – a Drag artist, model and presenter. Tayce will be paired with Strictly professional dancer Kai Widdrington.

Welsh-born Tayce was a finalist on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK II. She has been called 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.  

“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.” – Tayce

On the 15th of November Vogue Williams was announced as the third celebrity included in 2024’s Christmas line up, she will be paired with professional dancer Carlus Gu as announced on Strictly’s sister BBC Two show.

Vogue is from Ireland and her broadcast work has ranged from presenting documentaries and hosting studio shows, to appearing in her own reality show. She is often seen presenting the fashion and red carpet segments on ITV’s Lorraine. Vogue is an established podcaster known for My Therapist Ghosted Me, Spencer and Vogue and Never Live It Down. Vogue was a regular presenter on Channel 4’s Steph’s Packed Lunch, hosted Virgin Media’s Saturday night extravaganza and fronted her own Heart Radio weekend show.     

 “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.”  – Vogue Williams

Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special of 2022 / BBC / Guy Levy

Strictly: It Takes Two on November 18th announced Harry Aikines-Aryeetey or ‘Nitro’ from Gladiators is the fourth celebrity included in 2024’s Christmas line up, he will be paired with Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Nancy Xu.

In 2023 Harry was unveiled as ‘Nitro’ in the BBC One series of Gladiators. He is also a Team GB sprinter, Commonwealth and World gold medallist sprinter. Harry has competed at the highest level in the UK since his youth. After becoming the first athlete to win gold medals at both 100 and 200 metres at the World Youth Championships, he won 2005 BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year age 17.   

“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!”  – Harry Aikines-Aryeetey

Tamzin Outhwaite was the next name revealed on Strictly’s BBC Two sister show on November 20th. Outhwaite was announced as the fifth celebrity included in 2024’s Christmas line up, she will be paired with Strictly professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin.

 Tamzin is an actress from stage and screen. She is best known for her series roles including DCI Sasha Miller in the BBC’s New Tricks, Hotel Babylon, Murder Is Easy and EastEnders, as Mel Owen. In film, Tamzin was in Out Of Control and joined an all-star cast in Mike Newell’s Great Expectations, including Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter and Robbie Coltrane. Her recent theatre roles include Abigail’s Party at the Theatre Royal Stratford East and the West End revival of Noises Off. 

“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!”  – Tamzin Outhwaite

Finally earlier this evening on It Takes Two Billy Monger was announced as the final celebrity. Racing driver Billy has scored podiums in British Formula 3 and followed in Lewis Hamilton’s footsteps by winning the Pau Grand Prix in European Formula 3.  

He was seriously injured in a high-speed collision while racing in Formula 4 which left him with both legs amputated. Despite this, Billy refused to give up on his racing career, lobbying to allow both disabled and non-disabled drivers to race alongside each other.

Billy won the BBC Sports Personality Helen Rollason Award and had a BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary made about his story. Billy is also a presenter and pundit on Channel 4’s coverage of Formula One and the Paralympics. He recently beat the world record for a double amputee in the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii – the toughest endurance event in the world – a BBC documentary on this is being made. He will dance with Nadiya Bychkova.

“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!” – Billy Monger

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