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Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special: festive judges prove more generous than Santa

Less Weatherfield, more Broadway: Coronation Street's Alexandra Mardell and partner Kai Widdrington with the quickstep - Guy Levy/BBC
Less Weatherfield, more Broadway: Coronation Street's Alexandra Mardell and partner Kai Widdrington with the quickstep - Guy Levy/BBC

The jolly silver-haired gent comes down the chimney once a year. Except we’re not referring to Santa, we’re talking about Bruno. Departed judge Bruno Tonioli made a one-off comeback for the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special (BBC One). Co-presenter Claudia Winkleman said: “As you would expect, its an understated, subtle return to the ballroom.”

Tonioli promptly rose from a giant glitterball chair, wearing a spangly silver suit, to croon a high-energy rendition of Don’t Leave Me This Way, surrounded by purple-suited disco dancers. This ghost of Christmas past wasn’t so much supernatural as super-camp. He even found time to graciously pass the baton to successor Anton du Beke, telling him: “Anton, you’ve made it your own. It’s fantastic what you do.”

The annual 75-minute special saw an all-star line-up bidding to be crowned Christmas champion. The festive theming wasn’t what you’d call subtle either. The Elstree Studios ballroom was bedecked in tinsel, twinkling fairy lights and fake snow. The dancefloor was littered with giant baubles and outsized presents, like a Lilliputian fever dream. The red-clad judges raised tree-shaped scoring paddles. Bring on the ho-ho-hoofing.

DJ Rickie Haywood-Williams opened the show with a swaggering salsa. He was bidding to emulate his Radio 1 co-host Melvin Odoom’s victory in the 2016 special but lacked the requisite hip action. CBeebies presenter George Webster became the first ever contestant with Down syndrome. He raised the roof with a characterful Charleston which climaxed with him doing the splits. Quite the scene-stealer and further proof of Strictly’s laudable inclusivity.

For his rehearsal VT, veteran actor Larry Lamb took professional partner Nadiya Bychkova to EastEnders’ Queen Vic pub, where his character Archie Mitchell was memorably bludgeoned to death on Christmas Day. Perhaps Lamb was still mildly concussed because his American Smooth was sweet but a little unsteady.

Larry Lamb and Nadiya Bychkova performed a sweet American smooth - Guy Levy/ BBC
Larry Lamb and Nadiya Bychkova performed a sweet American smooth - Guy Levy/ BBC

Broadcaster Rosie Ramsey delivered a charming jive and was duly declared a far better dancer than her comedian husband Chris, who somehow reached the semi-final three years ago. Girls Aloud’s Nicola Roberts paid a heart-warming visit to Vicky McClure’s Dementia Choir before performing a magical moonlit waltz.

Both can consider themselves unlucky not to be declared winners. Instead the fairy on top of this sparkling televisual tree was Coronation Street actress Alexandra Mardell. Her reindeer-themed quickstep with pro partner Kai Widdrington swept around the floor with smooth, jazzy style. Less Weatherfield, more Broadway.

The latest series, which climaxed last weekend with Hamza Yassin hoisting the glitterball trophy, was too often characterised by erratic judging and over-scoring. The judges continued the habit here, with Shirley Ballas and Du Beke especially culpable of awarding nines and 10s to anything that moved. Let’s be kind and call it seasonal generosity. It was left to the panel’s resident Grinch, Craig Revel Horwood, to restore a semblance of sanity – although even his lesser-spotted “10” paddle was dusted down for Mardell’s quickstep. Truly a Christmas miracle.

The BBC certainly got its money’s worth from high wires, with not one but three celebrities descending from the ceiling – on a sleigh, star and rocking horse respectively. Glitter cannons fired. There were grotto-based group numbers clad in novelty knitwear. The judges joined in, proving they can still cut a rug after a few sherries. This was a shamelessly uplifting edition to spread choreographic cheer. Festively fab-u-lous.