Moira Stewart and Anne-Marie join Christmas Strictly Come Dancing line-up

Moira Stewart and Anne-Marie will take part in the 'Strictly Come Dancing' Christmas special.

The 72-year-old newsreader and the 'Birthday' singer are the latest names to be confirmed for the one-off festive episode of the popular BBC Latin and ballroom contest, and they will be going up against previously-announced hopefuls Mel Giedroyc, Jay Blades and Fred Sirieix, as well as one other star who has yet to be revealed.

Moira, who will be partnered by Aljaz Skorjanec, has a lifelong love of dance.

She said: “I’m really looking forward to the 'Strictly' Christmas special. I've loved dancing for as long as I can remember. In fact it even helped me try to keep warm in my early coldwater flat..."

And 30-year-old Anne-Marie is "excited" about the show, particularly because she's been teamed up with Graziano Di Prima.

She said: “I’m excited to take part in the 'Strictly' Christmas special. I love the show, and who would turn down a dance with Graziano?!”

As was previously announced, Mel will dance with Neil Jones, 'Repair Shop' star Jay Blades is teaming up with Luba Mushtuk and Dianne Buswell will partner Fred.

Each of the six couples will perform a Christmas-inspired routine with the hope of impressing the judges, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke, Head Judge Shirley Ballas, and the voting audience, all in a bid to win the coveted Christmas trophy.

The coronavirus pandemic meant there was no 'Strictly' Christmas special in 2020, but since 2014, the festive episodes have seen former contestants go head-to-head.

In 2019, series 15 runner-up Debbie McGee won with Kevin Clifton, while in 2018, Aston Merrygold - who had also taken part in series 15 - won with Janette Manrara.