With just over a month to go until the BIG day, the six celebrities set to take part in the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special have been announced!
As the Ballroom is once again transformed into a magical winter wonderland, Josh Widdicombe, Tayce, Vogue Williams, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Tamzin Outhwaite and Billy Monger will all take to the dance-floor in the hopes of wowing Strictly judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas, as well as the voting studio audience.
Find out more about the celebs taking part below…
Josh Widdicombe
Josh Widdicombe is a comedian, podcaster and author and is taking to the ballroom floor with Karen Hauer.
Speaking ahead of his turn on the Strictly dance-floor, Widdicombe says: “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?”
Tayce
Tayce is a British drag performer, model, and singer who gained widespread recognition as a finalist on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 2. The Newport native will dance with Kai Widdrington.
“I cannot wait to sleigh on the Strictly Ballroom floor,” Tay says. “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.”
Vogue Williams
Vogue Williams is a presenter, podcaster, DJ and fitness expert and will be dancing with Carlos Gu.
Sharing her of taking part in the Christmas special, Williams says: “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.”
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, aka Gladiator Nitro, is a British sprinter known for his speed, power, and infectious energy both on and off the track. He specializes in the 100m and 200m events and has been a key figure in British athletics for over a decade. Harry will be dancing with Nancy Xu.
“STRICTLY… ARE YOU READY?!” the Gladiators star teases. “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!”
Tamzin Outhwaite
Famous for her starring roles in Eastenders, Red Cap, Hotel Babylon, Silent Witness, New Tricks, and Foyle’s War, British actress Tamzin Outhwaite will be paired with Nikita Kuzmin.
Ahead of her making her dance-floor debut, Tamzin says: “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!”
Billy Monger
Billy Monger is a racing driver and TV presenter. 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 critically 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.
“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,” Monger says. “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!”
The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Christmas Day.