There’s still six weeks to go until Christmas, but already Strictly Come Dancing has got into the festive spirit by announcing the celebrity contestants for the annual Christmas Day spectacular.
Exciting!
Fans of the show will know that every year former celebrity dancers return for a one-off special which airs on December 25.
So, which celebs will be taking part?
Well, it’s a pretty good line-up! We have Girls Aloud star Kimberley Walsh, tennis coach Judy Murray and newscaster Katie Derham representing the women.
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And over on the men’s side there is athlete Colin Jackson, former footballer Robbie Savage and journalist Jeremy Vine.
Each of the celebrities and their pro dance partner will perform a routine which tells a story about why people love Christmas.
The pairings are:
- Kimberley Walsh and Pasha Kovalev
- Judy Murray and Neil Jones
- Katie Derham and Brendan Cole
- Colin Jackson and Amy Dowden
- Robbie Savage and Dianne Buswell
- Jeremy Vine and Karen Clifton
Naturally, all of the celebs are pretty thrilled to be dusting off their dance shoes and getting back on the floor again!
Kimberley said: “I loved my time on Strictly so much so it’s going to be wonderful to be back in the Strictly bubble for Christmas!”
Judy – who is the mum of tennis stars Andy and Jamie Murray – agreed, quipping: “I’m thrilled to bits to be part of Strictly’s Christmas Special. I promise to be every bit as bad as before and to enjoy it every bit as much.”
And Katie added: “Being parachuted onto planet Strictly two years ago was the most joyful, challenging but hilarious and brilliant thing I’ve ever done. I cannot wait to dust off the sequins and get back in the training room.”
Colin said he was also “thrilled” to be returning to the show, while Robbie joined Judy in joking: “It’s been six years since I was on the show and I am still as bad as I was then!”
Jeremy, meanwhile, said: “Me? Dance again? Yes, yes, YES!!! Now where are those shoes? Let me clean the dust off.”
The celebrities will be judged (as always) by the panel: Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell and Shirley Ballas.
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It marks Shirley’s first Christmas special after taking over head judge duties from Len Goodman this year.
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will host.
Bring it on!