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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Louise Lavigueur

Christmassy Strictly stars let their hair down night before quarter final

The stars of this year's Strictly Come Dancing were seen letting their hair down by enjoying a bit of festive fun as the show gears up for the quarter final.

Some of the biggest names on this year's BBC series, including Kym Marsh, Helen Skelton and Will Mellor, joined the professional dancers at swanky London location last night to celebrate the holidays early.

And in true Strictly style, the stars were spotted looking suitably glam for the occasion - before they hit the dance floor to show off some moves.

Karen Hauer was seen twerking up a storm while some of the celebs showcased some fancy Christmas face masks to get into the festive spirit.

Soap star Kym Marsh, 46, seemed in high spirits after spending a week in isolation when she contracted Covid.

The Waterloo road star was forced to pull out of last Saturday's show and was given a free pass to tonight's episode after testing positive for the virus.

Kym Marsh was seen clutching a red wine as she partied with her Strictly pals (JAMES CURLEY AND MAGICMOMENTSUK)
Kym looked in high spirits as she left the gathering (JAMES CURLEY AND MAGICMOMENTSUK)

After making a glam comeback for the Christmas fun, Kym will join her fellow celebs at the quarter finals which will air on a Friday night for the first time ever due to World Cup rescheduling.

Kym will no doubt be itching to get back to the dance floor and catch up on her steps after the disappointment of missing a week.

The former Corrie actress, told Strictly spin-off It Takes Two on Thursday how she had reluctantly 'swapped sequins for tissues'.

Kym is back on the show tonight after recovering from Covid (JAMES CURLEY AND MAGICMOMENTSUK)
The actress looked glad to be back as she hugged a co-star (JAMES CURLEY AND MAGICMOMENTSUK)

She told host Janette Manrara: ''[Watching from home] was so weird, I had such FOMO (fear of missing out), I swapped sequins for tissues'.

''I watched it with two tissues stuck up my nostrils.''

Last week, a Strictly spokesperson confirmed that Kym would be sitting out this week as a result of the virus.

Kym and her partner Graziano were granted an automatic spot in the quarter final after illness forced them to stay at home.

Fleur East shared a drink with her co-stars (JAMES CURLEY AND MAGICMOMENTSUK)
After finding herself in the bottom two again last week, Fleur looked pleased to let loose with her pals (JAMES CURLEY AND MAGICMOMENTSUK)

As Kym returned to looking fighting fit at the Strictly gathering, she was seen relaxing with a glass of red wine before sharing a cuddle with one of her co-stars.

Fleur East was also seen enjoying the booze on offer as she shared a drink with the team.

Later in the night, Karen Hauer was seen showing off her moves as she twerked in a pair of leather trousers - much to the amusement of Helen Skelton.

Helen Skelton and Kareun Hauer were spotted dancing together (JAMES CURLEY AND MAGICMOMENTSUK)
Karen twerked as she bust out some moves (JAMES CURLEY AND MAGICMOMENTSUK)

Their Strictly competitor Will Mellor was papped arriving at the bash clad in a smart waist coat and black shirt as was spotted posing in a Santa mask alongside Strictly pro Nancy Xu.

The 46-year-old former Hollyoaks actor told this week how he feared his previous injury picked up footballing and subsequent operations could prevent him from being able to perform.

Kym Marsh posed with a Santa mask and Christmas lights ahead of Strictly Christmas party (JAMES CURLEY AND MAGICMOMENTSUK)
Molly Rainford beamed back at the camera behind her festive frames (JAMES CURLEY AND MAGICMOMENTSUK)

Also appearing on on Thursdays instalment of Strictly: It Takes Two, appearing alongside dance partner Nancy Xu

Asked how his knees are, he replied bluntly: "No they're knackered. I'm getting on aren't I? I shouldn't be doing what I'm doing."

(JAMES CURLEY AND MAGICMOMENTSUK)
Vito Coppola and Fleur pose up a storm (JAMES CURLEY AND MAGICMOMENTSUK)

The Britain’s Got Talent finalist, 22, Molly Rainford, enjoyed adding some Christmas pudding to specs after a busy week opening up about her show experience.

Appearing on ITV Loose Women panel on Wednesday after being faced with her love-life being scrutinised amid dating claims with professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin and fellow celebrity contestant Tyler West.

Karen Hauer opted for the fun eye wear to add fun to her outfit (JAMES CURLEY AND MAGICMOMENTSUK)
Molly has claimed she doesn't have time for romance (JAMES CURLEY AND MAGICMOMENTSUK)

But she told at the time, her priority on the show is to put on a good performance and even hinted she 'had no time' for romance right now.

“Everyone's always asking who's into who on Strictly. He [Carlos] was like you're not allowed anyway, there's no time,” she said.

Meanwhile back on the dance floor last minute rehearsals are underway for tonight's episode due to a scheduling shakeup to make way for The World Cup.

Tonight's (Friday) live show will kick off at 8pm on BBC 1 for Movie Week, with the results show on Saturday at 5.40pm

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