Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special heads to Buckingham Palace with Kimberley Walsh and Judy Murray

Strictly Come Dancing is getting a royal makeover as it swaps the BBC ballroom for Buckingham Palace this Christmas.

The hit show will set up camp at the Queen’s residence for the festive special which will see the Duchess of Cornwall play host at a Tea Dance.

In a statement the BBC said: “As part of this year's Strictly Christmas Special, there will be a festive feature from inside Buckingham Palace.

“Hosted by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, our Strictly family and members of the local community will attend a Tea Dance highlighting the benefits of dance and exercise in the process of active ageing.

“There will also be a beautiful performance from the Strictly professional dancers.”

Former Girls Aloud singer Kimberley Walsh and tennis coach Judy Murray will return for another shot at Strictly success in this year’s special.

Murray, who was on series 12, will be partnered with professional dancer Neil Jones, while Walsh will reunite with professional Pasha Kovalev from series 10.

Other stars hoping to follow in the footsteps of last year's winner Melvin Odoom include Katie Derham, Colin Jackson, Robbie Savage and Jeremy Vine.

Strictly Christmas special will air on Christmas Day on BBC One