Strictly confirms throwback-inspired format shakeup for 2026's Christmas special – here's the details
Strictly Come Dancing has announced a major shakeup for its 2026 Christmas special, with a nostalgic twist that is sure to delight longtime fans of the BBC dancing competition.
The festive favourite will be turning back the clock this year as six celebrities return to the ballroom in the hope of being crowned Strictly Christmas Champion.
In a surprise move, all six contestants will be familiar faces from previous series, marking the first time in seven years that the Christmas special has featured an entirely returning line-up.
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Rather than welcoming a new batch of celebrities hoping to impress the judges with their dancing skills, this year's instalment will give former contestants another chance to show off their moves under the glitterball.
Each returning star will be paired with a professional dancer and tasked with performing a brand new festive-themed routine as they compete for the coveted Christmas title.
The celebrities will also take part in spectacular opening and closing group numbers, bringing some extra seasonal sparkle to the ballroom.
However, fans hoping to discover which familiar faces will be dusting off their dancing shoes will have to wait a little longer. The BBC has confirmed that the six celebrity contestants and their professional partners will be announced in due course.
That means viewers can look forward to finding out which former favourites will be making a comeback, and whether their time away from the dancefloor has affected their fancy footwork.
The shakeup comes after former Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt was crowned the 2025 Christmas champion alongside professional partner Vito Coppola, with the pair achieving a perfect score of 40 for their festive Cha Cha Cha.
The Christmas special has become a staple of the BBC's festive television schedule, offering a seasonal helping of sequins, spectacular routines and plenty of Christmas cheer.
Unlike the main series, which sees celebrities compete across several weeks in the hope of lifting the Glitterball Trophy, the festive edition gives its contestants just one opportunity to impress.
With this year's line-up made up entirely of Strictly alumni, the competition promises to offer an extra dose of nostalgia alongside the usual festive entertainment.
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special 2026 will air on BBC One and be available to stream on BBC iPlayer this Christmas.
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