Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special 2026: Returning stars format confirmed with festive twist
Six former contestants will return to the ballroom for the festive specialStrictly Come Dancing is bringing back some familiar faces for this year’s festive special, with the BBC confirming the Strictly Christmas special 2026 will feature returning stars only.
Six celebrities from previous series will pull their dancing shoes back on for the one-off episode in December, and it’s the first time in seven years that the line-up will be made up entirely of former contestants.
The Strictly Christmas special 2026 line-up, and the professional partners, have yet to be revealed.
What happens in the Strictly Christmas special 2026?
Each of the six couples will perform a new festive routine, competing for the title of Christmas champion.
The returning stars will also join the professional dancers for group numbers to open and close the show.
Strictly has brought back former contestants for its Christmas specials before, from 2004 to 2009 and again from 2014 to 2019.
At the last all-alumni Christmas special Debbie McGee and Kevin Clifton became champions. They beat Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell, Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Márquez, Mark Wright and Janette Manrara, Chizzy Akudolu and Graziano Di Prima, and Richard Arnold and Luba Mushtuk.
Since 2020, Strictly has cast new celebrities for its festive special.
Why are former stars returning?
The decision follows the success of last year’s Blackpool special, when Ashley Roberts, Danny Mac, Jay McGuiness and Layton Williams returned to perform a group routine with the professionals.
According to Radio Times, the reaction to that “alumni” dance inspired the Strictly team to make this year’s Christmas special a reunion.
Who could return for the Strictly Christmas special?
The BBC hasn’t revealed any names yet, but here are a few former stars we’d love to see back in the ballroom.
Chris McCausland: The comedian won the 2024 series with Dianne Buswell, becoming the show’s first blind champion. A festive encore would be a fan favourite.
Ellie Leach: The former Coronation Street actress lifted the Glitterball with Vito Coppola in 2023. Vito is currently partnering Lacey Turner, who is topping the leaderboard this series.
Layton Williams: The Bad Education star reached the 2023 final and returned for last year’s Blackpool alumni dance, so he’s possibly up for it.
Tasha Ghouri: The ex-Love Island star reached the 2024 final with Aljaž Škorjanec.
Pete Wicks: The former TOWIE star was one of 2024’s most popular contestants, winning over viewers with his partnership with Jowita Przystał.
Ashley Roberts, Danny Mac or Jay McGuiness: All three returned for the Blackpool alumni dance last year, and Jay won the series in 2015. Could one of them be back for more?
Who won the Strictly Christmas special 2025?
Scarlett Moffatt and Vito Coppola, who scored a perfect 40 from the judges, won last year’s festive special.
The Gogglebox star and former I’m A Celebrity winner beat five other couples to the Christmas trophy: Melanie Blatt and Kai Widdrington, Jodie Ounsley and Neil Jones, Brian McFadden and Michelle Tsiakkas, Nicholas Bailey and Luba Mushtuk, and Babatunde Aléshé and Nancy Xu.
The episode was also Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s final show as hosts, with the pair signing off with one last “keep dancing”.
Read more: Strictly Come Dancing festive farewell in pictures
When is the Strictly Christmas special 2026 on?
The BBC has confirmed the special will air in December; the full date and time confirmation will follow – as you’ll know the Christmas special usually airs on Christmas Day itself.
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday, November 7, at 6.30pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
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