Why isn't Strictly Come Dancing's Christmas special on this year?

Strictly Come Dancing 2020 was a welcome relief to many who flocked to BBC’s dancing show to provide some relief from a horror filled year.

Now fans of the show both new and old, are shocked to learn Strictly’s much loved Christmas special won’t be on our screens this year.

But that does not mean there is no Strictly Christmas special this year, it will just look a little different to how we know it.

Usually the year’s contestants come back for the special to perform in some festive-themed dances, but due to Covid restrictions that is not possible to get around.

Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse won this year's Strictly - but sadly there won't be a Christmas special to celebrate their win (PA)

Getting Strictly back at all this year was a “mammoth job” according to host Claudia Winkleman and will be too hard to pull off at Christmas time.

Instead, Claudia will be joined by her co-host Tess Daly to front Strictly: The Christmas Countdown.

The pair will host a countdown of the show's 25 most memorable dances after a public vote.

Tess and Claudia will be joined by the judges - Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Bruno Tonioli - professional dancers and of course, celebrity guests.

Usually the Christmas special - like 2019's - is a glitter-fuelled spectacular (BBC)

Claudia Winkleman got teary during the Strictly Come Dancing 2020 final (BBC)

Together they will reflect on some of the most iconic moments in the show’s history, including the rare perfect 40 scores and show-stopping performances.

Strictly’s professional dancers will also perform a festive-themed dance that they recorded a few months ago after isolating together for two weeks.

The BBC revealed earlier this year the lengths it went to just to get Strictly back on air amid the coronavirus pandemic, which included running a shorter season and axing the traditional Christmas special.

The Christmas special normally features festive dances (BBC/Guy Levy)

The judges will return for Strictly: The Christmas Countdown instead of a Special (BBC)

“The Strictly Come Dancing team are doing everything they can to bring the nation plenty of Strictly magic later this year,” it said in a statement earlier this year.

“To ensure we deliver the high standards audiences know and love, and in light of the ongoing considerations around Covid-19, this year’s series of Strictly will have a slightly shorter run than usual… The safety of our cast and crew is of the utmost importance to us.”

*Strictly: The Christmas Countdown airs on Christmas Day at 4.45pm on BBC One