Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special: Full list of celebrities in 2022 line-up
The full celebrity cast for the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special 2022 has been confirmed.
The Christmas special will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Christmas Day, with six stars competing to impress the judges and be crowned Christmas Champion 2022.
Hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, the Christmas Special will include a musical performance and spectacular group routines including the celebrities and their professional partners, guaranteed to spread Christmas cheer.
Read more: All the winners and finalists of Strictly Come Dancing
As usual the judges panel will be headed up by Shirley Ballas who will be dishing out the festive scores alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.
"I'm hoping that we some nice dancing, some lovely little footwork and some hip action," Ballas said. "Normally when they only have to dance once everybody gets all nervous, but I'm hoping that they'll realise it is a Christmas Special, it's for fun!"
These are the six stars hoping to wow the panel in the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special 2022
Who is Nicola Roberts?
Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts will dance with 2021 winner Giovanni Pernice and said: "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. 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!"
Roberts is best known for her years with Girls Aloud after finding fame on Pop Stars: The Rivals, but more recently won the first series of The Masked Singer as Queen Bee.
Who is George Webster?
CBeebies presenter George Webster was named as the last celebrity completing the line-up of Christmas contestants.
Webster is the first CBeebies presenter with Down Syndrome, has won a BAFTA, and will dance with Amy Dowden.
He said: "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. I’m looking forward to being “Strictlyfied”. Bring on the glitter and everything else. I can’t wait to perform on the Strictly dancefloor."
Who is Larry Lamb?
EastEnders and Gavin & Stacey star Larry Lamb was announced for the cast and will dance with Nadiya Bychkova in the one-off ballroom contest.
He said: "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."
Who is Rosie Ramsey?
Rosie Ramsey, the Shagged Married Annoyed podcast host and wife of comedian Chris Ramsey was the first celebrity contestant announced to be taking part in the festive edition of the BBC dance show which airs on Christmas Day, followed by Radio 1 DJ Rickie Haywood-Williams and Coronation Street star Alexandra Mardell.
Read more: Strictly Come Dancing final odds: Who's favourite to win 2022 series?
Ramsey, who presents The Chris and Rosie Ramsey Show on BBC Two, said: “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!”
She will be partnered with Strictly pro Neil Jones.
Comedian Chris, 36, came fourth in the 17th series of the show in 2019, dancing with Karen Hauer.
Who is Rickie Haywood-Williams?
Radio DJ Rickie Haywood-Williams, 42, said: "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.”
The Football Focus podcast host – who became a dad for the second time in September when his girlfriend Nat welcomed a baby boy – will dance with professional Luba Mushtuk.
Who is Alexandra Mardell?
Alexandra Mardell, who plays Emma Brooker in ITV soap Coronation Street, was the third celebrity announced and will dance with Kai Widdrington.
She said: "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!"
Who won the 2021 Strictly Christmas special?
The 2021 Christmas special was won by singer Anne-Marie, who scored a perfect 40 for her Cha Cha Cha with professional dancer Graziano Di Prima.
They landed joint top of the leaderboard with former Bake Off presenter Mel Giedroyc and Neil Jones, whose couple’s choice to Vanilla Ice’s Ice Ice Baby was also a huge hit.
Watch: Strictly's Janette Manrara and Aljaz Skorjanec on how the show saved their relationship
