Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special confirms more celebrities

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Strictly Come Dancing has announced a host of celebrities who will be participating in this year’s Christmas special.

Nicola Roberts, Larry Lamb, Rosie Ramsey, Rickie Haywood-Williams and former Coronation Street star Alexandra Mardell are set to compete in the ballroom this year, with a sixth celebrity yet to be revealed.

Nicola, Girls Aloud singer and winner of The Masked Singer UK‘s first series, is paired with professional dancer Giovanni Pernice.

“It’s truly an honour to be part of Strictly, but to be invited on to the prestigious Christmas Day episode is something very special indeed,” she said.

BBC

“They’ve promised me extra glitter, sparkle and frosting all wrapped up together with a big bow on top. What more could a girl wish for at Christmas!”

Larry will be paired with professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova. The TV star is well known for playing Gavin’s affable dad Mick Shipman in BBC One comedy Gavin & Stacey and has also terrorised the Vic as evil barman Archie Mitchell in EastEnders.

Speaking about his ballroom debut, Lamb said: “Christmas has come early! I can’t wait to get on the dance floor and learn a brand new skill ready for all those festive parties.

BBC

“I am excited yet incredibly nervous but I know Nadiya will look after me, and I look forward to adding a bit of extra sparkle to Christmas Day.”

Alexandra will also don sequins in a bid for the Christmas glitterball, and will be paired with professional Kai Widdrington.

Speaking of her involvement in the special, she said: “I’ve grown up with Strictly Come Dancing, and my mum always said she’d love to see me on the show, so this really is the best Christmas present I could give her.

“I can’t wait to get into the training room and see what festive moves I can bring to the table!”

alexandra mardell, strictly come dancing christmas special 2022

BBC

Related: Strictly Come Dancing announces winner of 2021 Christmas special

Presenter and podcaster Rosie was announced as the first casting on Wednesday (November 30) – three years on from her husband Chris Ramsey’s stint on the flagship show.

Radio 1 DJ Rickie was then confirmed as the second contestant, saying at the time: “I have 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.”

Rosie will be paired with professional dancer Neil Jones, while Rickie will dance with Luba Mushtuk.

rosie ramsey, strictly come dancing christmas special

BBC

rickie haywoodwilliams, strictly come dancing christmas special

BBC

Rosie’s involvement comes after apparently becoming annoyed over Chris’s Strictly weight loss back in 2019.

“It’s no secret that she’s a little bit angry I’ve lost so much weight while doing work,” the comedian previously revealed. “It’s not like I’ve had to go into a gym, she’s like, ‘For f**k’s sake!’

“Generally, because I’ve got a fast metabolism, I can eat what I want and not be huge, so she’s very used to being annoyed at how I look which gives me endless joy.”

Strictly Come Dancing next airs on Friday (December 2) at 8pm on BBC One, with a results show on Saturday (December 3) at 5.40pm. Spin-off show Strictly: It Takes Two airs on weeknights on BBC Two. Both shows also stream on BBC iPlayer.

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