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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Joel Leaver

Rickie Haywood-Williams announced as second star to join Strictly Christmas special

Rickie Haywood-Williams has been unveiled as part of the line-up for Strictly Come Dancing 's Christmas special this year.

The BBC radio presenter, 42, will be partnered with professional dancer Luba Mushtuk, 33, on the festive special, which will see six celebrities take to the dancefloor.

He is the second celebrity to be announced as part of the line-up, after podcast host Rosie Ramsey, 35, was named as the first confirmed participant earlier this morning.

His involvement was shared on the Rickie, Melvin & Charlie show - which he co-hosts with Melvin Odoom, 42, and Charlie Hedges, 36 - on BBC Radio 1.

Rickie Haywood-Williams (pictured) is taking part in Strictly's Christmas special (BBC)

He teased the news by providing some clues, including that the show he'd signed up for is something "filmed by the sea," seemingly in reference to episodes in Blackpool.

Rickie - who previously presented the breakfast show on KISS FM - has explained that he's watched the BBC show over the years but had said he was "too scared" to do it.

He commented about the announcement: "I've watched Strictly over the years and always said I'd be too scared to do it. But here I am ready to go for it, sequins n' all."

Rickie, pictured with his radio co-hosts Melvin Odoom (left) and Charlie Hedges (centre), was announced as part of the line-up today (BBC/Leigh Keily)

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Rickie will likely be asking co-host and pal Melvin for advice on the experience, as the latter appeared on both the regular series as well as the festive special six years ago.

Melvin was partnered with professional dancer Janette Manrara, 39, on the fourteenth series. They reunited later that year for the Christmas special and were its winners.

Rosie also has the opportunity to get some advice about the process as her husband Chris Ramsey, 36, took part in Strictly in 2019. He was partnered with Karen Hauer, 40.

Rosie Ramsey (right), pictured with husband Chris Ramsey (left), is also among the line-up this year (Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Discussing taking part herself, Rosie said she is "thrilled" to be among the line-up for this year's Christmas special. She will be partnered with Neil Jones, 40, for the show.

She added: "After watching my husband Chris compete a few years ago, I've been desperate to get on that dance floor myself. I also absolutely love Christmas, and my partner Neil is lovely, so this is just perfect."

Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Christmas Day.

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