Strictly Come Dancing has revealed the line-up for this year’s Christmas Special featuring six former contestants – including one former champion.
The star-studded cast for the festive special was announced on Monday’s It Takes Two with Zoe Ball, kicking off the countdown to Christmas.
Former Tory MP Ann Widdecombe, who took to the floor in series 8, will take part alongside series 12 champion Caroline Flack – who admits her glitterball “still has pride of place in her living room” and series 13 star Anita Rani.
A dynamic trio of series 15 star Aston Merrygold, series 12’s Jake Wood and Michael Vaughan, from series 10, will also put their dancing shoes back on.
The theme of the sparking special will be fairy tales and making dreams come true, with the six couples dazzling as they bring the Christmas spirit to Elstree.
The special, just like the main show, will be hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman with Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell and Bruno Tonioli judging
Widdecombe, who created some iconic moments with Anton Du Beke back in 2010, has teased that she could step it up one gear and be “fired out of a cannon” this time, just like Russell Grant.
The 71-year-old said: “I am very much looking forward to returning to Strictly, where I shall once again be pushed, pulled, cajoled and coaxed around the dancefloor in all manner of ways by my poor dance partner.”
Merrygold joked he has “unfinished business” with the show after being eliminated earlier than expect with Janette Manrara last year.
The JLS star said: "I’m so happy to be able to get back on the Strictly floor. I feel like I’ve got some unfinished business with it!”
The professional line-up is yet to be announced.
It Takes Two airs weeknights at 6.30pm on BBC Two. The Christmas Special will air on BBC One on Christmas Day.
