BBC reveals star-studded Christmas Strictly Come Dancing line-up

Here’s some exciting festive news if you’re still reeling from Melvin Odoom’s early exit from Strictly Come Dancing this year.

Radio DJ Melvin is just one of the stars who’ll be squeezing back into the lycra and sequins to appear on the show’s festive special, which is due to air on BBC One on Christmas day.

Other celebrities roped in to perform a special routine in the hope of going home with the Strictly Silver Star to plonk upon their sizable Christmas trees include TV chef Ainsley Harriott, Saturdays singer Frankie Bridge, Olympic gold medalist Denise Lewis, comedian Pamela Stephenson, and Blue Peter presenter Gethin Jones.

Despite all this festive good cheer the Strictly Christmas bash promises to be something of an emotional night. It just so happens to be long-serving head judge Len Goodman’s final stint alongside Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood and Darcey Bussell on the judging panel.

Excuse us, we’ve got something in our eye.

The show’s bosses have promised to let us know which celebrities are dancing to what – and which professional dancers they’ll be paired up with – very, very soon.

In the meantime, fans of the retiring head judge can make the most of his remaining hours on the show as the show heads to Blackpool this weekend.

There’s also a Children in Need special in the pipeline, with four Olympians due to hit the dancefloor in a bid to raise cash for charity.