STRICTLY Come Dancing is returning to screens as six stars compete to be crowned this year’s Christmas champion.
The 2024 star-studded line-up features a popular podcaster, a celebrity comedian and a Formula 3 racing driver – here’s everything you need to know.
Each year, six celebrities partner up with a professional dancer in a bid to impress the star-studded panel and those watching at home.
This year, the famous faces taking part in the festive episode are:
The first star on our list of Strictly Christmas contestants is comedian and podcast host Josh Widdicombe.
He will be paired with Strictly Come Dancing professional Karen Hauer.
When asked if he could dance, the comedian said: ”That would be telling.”
Speaking about signing up for the show, Widdicombe said: “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?”
In addition to his successful comedic career and appearances on the Channel 4 show The Last Leg, Widdicombe also hosts the podcast Parenting Hell alongside Rob Beckett.
Also participating in this year’s Christmas special is Welsh drag queen and presenter Tayce.
In addition to becoming a finalist on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 2, Tayce is also a successful model who walks in fashion shows across the globe.
During the December installment, the star will be dancing alongside Kai Widdrington.
Ahead of the festive episode, Tayce told Strictly: ”It’s such an honour to be part of this amazing and highly popular show, pushing the envelope and breaking boundaries as the first drag queen to appear on it.
”The response has been overwhelmingly positive, though there’s also been some negativity from trolls, but that’s nothing I can’t handle.”
Presenter and podcaster Vogue Williams was also named as one of this year’s celebrity contestants in November 2024.
She will be competing to be crowned the winner alongside professional dancer Gorka Márquez.
Away from the glitz and glamour of Strictly, Williams is best known for presenting the red carpet segments on ITV’s Lorraine.
She also hosts a successful podcast titled My Therapist Ghosted Me.
When asked if about her dancing background, she said: ”I love the idea of learning how to dance, especially because I’m not really a good dancer at all.
”I like challenging myself and this is a very big challenge. I think the problem is people think I look like I can dance.
”I don’t know why they get that idea but I actually can’t. It’s a really fun thing to be able to try and learn.”
In December 2024, fans of the show will see Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey dust off his dancing shoes.
The Gladiator and Olympian has always wanted to be a part of the Strictly family from a young age, and now his dream will come to life as he takes to the dancefloor alongside partner Nancy Xu.
After winning a number of golds in the European Championships and Commonwealth Games, the Olympian is now hoping to take home the title of this year’s Christmas champion.
Ahead of the show, he said: ”I’ve always enjoyed watching the athlete contestants and finding new ways to move your body.
”I have so much respect for the pros as they’re athletes in their own right.
”Learning a new skill is always something that I appreciate too and I’m always up for the challenge.”
EastEnders star Tamzin Outhwaite will also be taking to the dancefloor alongside Strictly professional Nikita Kuzmin.
Speaking about her upcoming performance, the actress 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!”
Outhwaite is best known for playing DCI Sasha Miller in the BBC’s New Tricks and her portrayal of Mel Owen in EastEnders.
The last name included in this year’s star-studded line-up is racing driver Billy Monger, who will be dancing with Nadiya Bychkova.
In addition to achieving sporting success, Monger is a commentator and disability activist, who had both his legs amputated after an accident.
In April 2017, the racing driver was critically injured in a collision at Donington Park that caused both of his legs to be amputated.
When asked why he said yes to Strictly Christmas, Monger explained: ”Good question. I’m still thinking why did I because it’s so different to what I’m used to!
”It took a little bit of convincing. Part of the reason is just to do something very different off the back of recently doing the Ironman challenge for Comic Relief which has taken up the last year of my life and been very regimented, very disciplined.
”I thought it’d be nice to do something a little bit more creative.”
The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special will air on Christmas Day (December 25) at 3.55pm.
Viewers can catch all of this year’s performances on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
In true Strictly style, judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas will also be back in the ballroom.
Spice Girl fans are also in for a treat as Emma Bunton is set to perform a rendition of the 1996 song ‘2 Become 1’.
