Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special 2022 line-up: Confirmed contestants
Meet the six celebrities putting on a show this Christmas!
Get ready to see six celebrities taking to the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom this Christmas for the festive special.
On Christmas Day, George Webster, Nicola Roberts, Larry Lamb, Alexandra Mardell, Rosie Ramsey and Rickie Haywood-William will perform seasonal dances alongside their professional dance partners in a bid to be crowned the Christmas champion.
They'll be hoping to impress the judging panel, including Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke, and head judge Shirley Ballas, as well as the voting audience.
As we wait for the fast approaching air date, read on for everything you need to know about the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special, including which Strictly pros each celebrity will be paired with.
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Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special 2022 line-up
George Webster
Job: Presenter
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Professional dance partner: Amy Dowden
George Webster joined CBeebies in 2021, making history as the first presenter on the BBC’s pre-school channel with Down Syndrome.
He was also included in the top 20 of 2021's Radio Times 100 list for creating change in entertainment and is in the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 list.
In addition, in November 2022, George bagged a BAFTA Children & Young People award for Best Presenter for his work on CBeebies.
Speaking of joining the line-up, George said in a statement: “I love Strictly and have watched it every year. I’ve always dreamed of being on the show one year and I’m so excited to be on this year’s Christmas special! To be partnered with Amy is such an honour, we get on so well, she’s so lovely and an amazing dancer."
He continued: “I’m looking forward to being Strictlyfied. Bring on the glitter and everything else. I can’t wait to perform on the Strictly dancefloor.”
On her new dance partner, Amy added: "I am loving it and what I'm loving most is seeing the joy on George’s face every day.
"Watching him improve as a dancer has been fantastic, and you know what, it’s a dream come true that we get to do the Strictly Christmas special dancing a Charleston. If I was to describe it in one word, it would be ‘magical'."
Nicola Roberts
Job: Singer
Instagram: @lilcola
Professional dance partner: Giovanni Pernice
Nicola Roberts will also put on her dancing shoes for this year's Strictly Christmas special.
The singer is best known for being one fifth of the chart-topping group Girls Aloud - alongside fellow stars Cheryl, Kimberley Walsh, Nadine Coyle and the late Sarah Harding - who shot to stardom in 2002 after winning ITV talent show Popstars: The Rivals.
More recently, Nicola competed in and won the first UK season of The Masked Singer.
"It’s truly an honour to be part of Strictly, but to be invited on to the prestigious Christmas Day episode is something very special indeed," she said. "They’ve promised me extra glitter, sparkle and frosting all wrapped up together with a big bow on top. What more could a girl wish for at Christmas!"
Larry Lamb
Job: Actor
Twitter: @larrylamb47
Professional dance partner: Nadiya Bychkova
Larry Lamb will take to the dance floor this Christmas.
The actor is known for playing iconic roles such as Mick Shipman in the BBC's multi-award winning comedy series Gavin & Stacey, and Archie Mitchell in BBC One’s flagship soap EastEnders.
"Christmas has come early! I can’t wait to get on the dance floor and learn a brand new skill ready for all those festive parties. I am excited yet incredibly nervous but I know Nadiya will look after me, and I look forward to adding a bit of extra sparkle to Christmas Day," he said.
On his partnership with Nadiya, he continued: "The partnership is really good. I've been really lucky, because I can't dance. So Nadiya has taught me first of all how to dance and then she taught me a whole dance routine. So it's a double whammy."
Nadiya added: "It's beautiful. I mean, Larry's lovely, and at the same time, it’s really nice seeing him learning to dance. It’s a pleasure to see everything coming together and I could see the smile on his face.
"The theme is Winter Wonderland so it’s lovely and very Christmassy. We’ve had some amazing chats, Larry told me a little bit about himself, so it’s an incredible place to be."
Alexandra Mardell
Job: Actress
Instagram: @alexandramardell
Professional dance partner: Kai Widdrington
Alexandra Mardell has been confirmed for the Christmas special.
Mardell is an actor, best known for the role of Emma Brooker in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street. In 2019, she won the British Soap Award for Best Newcomer and was nominated for both Best Newcomer and Serial Drama Performance at the National Television Awards.
"I’ve grown up with Strictly Come Dancing, and my mum always said she’d love to see me on the show so this really is the best Christmas present I could give her. I can’t wait to get into the training room and see what festive moves I can bring to the table," the actress said.
Speaking ahead of their performance, Kai Widdrington said: "Alexandra is a joy to work with, it's just so easy because when someone comes into the rehearsal room with such positivity every day, even though it’s only been a brief amount of time, it’s just been a real pleasure. We have a nice, fun, cheeky routine and hopefully have some good quality dancing as well."
Rickie Haywood-Williams
Job: DJ and presenter
Instagram: @rickiehw
Professional dance partner: Luba Mushtuk
Rickie Haywood-Williams was confirmed as the second celebrity for the Christmas special.
Rickie is a DJ and presenter. He previously presented the KISS FM breakfast show for 10 years before moving to the BBC, where he currently presents BBC Radio 1’s iconic Live Lounge show with Melvin Odoom and Charlie Hedges. He also hosts the BBC Sounds hit podcast, the Footballers’ Football podcast.
“I have watched Strictly over the years and always said I’d be too scared to do it. But here I am ready to go for it, sequins n’ all,” Rickie said of joining the line-up.
Rosie Ramsey
Job: Podcaster, TV presenter and author
Instagram: @rosemarinoramsey
Professional dance partner: Neil Jones
Rosie Ramsey will take to the ballroom this Christmas for a chance to lift the Glitterball.
Rosie is a Podcaster, TV host, and author. She co-hosts the critically-acclaimed podcast Shagged. Married. Annoyed with her husband Chris Ramsey, who was also on Strictly in 2019.
She is also the co-host of The Chris & Rosie Ramsey Show, which will return for a second season next year on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.
“I am thrilled to be dancing in this year’s Strictly Christmas special! After watching my husband Chris compete a few years ago, I’ve been desperate to get on that dance floor myself! I also absolutely LOVE Christmas, and my partner Neil is lovely, so this is just perfect. Best. Christmas. Ever!”
On the intense training sessions, Rosie said: "Training has been good but it’s surprised me just how gruelling it is and how difficult the dance is. All the other couples’ dances are looking so polished and they’re doing such a good job.
"You definitely come in a bit naive to it and you think, ‘Oh it's easy’ but I've had to apologise to Chris! My husband did Strictly in 2019 and I didn't give him any sympathy at all. I told him he was overreacting and have had to apologise because now it’s my time!"
The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special 2022 will air on BBC One on Christmas Day at 5:10pm.
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