Yahoo News Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special confirms first star as comedian signs up for BBC show
It's just weeks away from being filmed and we now know the identity of the first star competing in this year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special, with a top comedian being unveiled as a contestant on Monday evening
While in the past the festive episode of Strictly has been a chance for past competitors to make a return to the BBC ballroom, in more recent years, the line-up has been made up of people who've never dome the show before and sign up to learn one routine with a professional partner, before performing it for the Strictly judges.
Contestants on the Strictly Christmas Special over the last few years have included 2022 champion, ex Coronation Street actress Alexandra Mardell and Girls Aloud's Nicola Roberts, who partnered Giovanni Pernice last year. The 2024 episode was won by EastEnders' Jamie Borthwick, who is now still in the running for the Glitterball trophy in the main series this year.
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The identities of the celebs involved in the Christmas special this time round have been kept under wraps, but on Monday, it was revealed that comedian, writer and TV presenter Josh Widdicombe will be taking part, with his participation confirmed on Strictly spin-off show It Takes Two.
On the topic of signing up, the 41-year-old, best known for Channel 4's The Last Leg, commented: "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?”
Josh, who has been paired with popular pro Karen Hauer, will be joined on the Strictly Christmas 2024 line-up by five other stars, who are set to be announced over the course of the next few days.
The reveal of the Christmas contestants comes after this week's Strictly result caused real upset online, as Shayne Ward was eliminated on Shirley Ballas' deciding vote and some angry viewers demanded that an 'urgent' rule change be made.
