Strictly Come Dancing: Six all-time favourite contestants return for Christmas special
IT'S been one of the closest contests in recent years, and now, with just four dancers remaining, the Strictly Come Dancing final promises one last hurrah – and hopefully some perfect 10s!
Strictly Come Dancing will be back for a festive special on Christmas day
Tonight, each of the couples will perform two dances for judges Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Shirley Ballas and Bruno Tonioli – one of which will be their much-anticipated showdance – before we discover who has won the viewers’ vote and glitterball trophy.
But while there will undoubtedly be sadness as the judges put away their paddles for another year, there’s plenty of Yuletide cheer to compensate, as six former contestants dust off their dancing shoes to take part in the Christmas extravaganza.
This year’s special promises to be a regal affair, as the dancers and judges head to Buckingham Palace to attend a tea dance for community groups. It’s hosted by the Duchess of Cornwall, who takes to the dance floor herself to try out a few steps with one of the Strictly stars.
As the stars battle it out in the one-off Christmas contest, Sue Crawford finds out how they feel about taking to the dance floor once more…
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Katie Derham
TV presenter and 2015 finalist
There will be 24 people sitting down for Christmas dinner at Katie’s house, but she’s determined to be finished by the time the familiar Strictly theme tune starts up to watch her performance back.
“There’s a big gang of us, so watching Strictly will be a welcome excuse to get away from washing up. Having done all the cooking, I’ll delegate that,” she smiles.
Katie, 47, is dancing the Viennese waltz with Brendan Cole.
“It was one I did okay in, so I was grateful to do that again rather than trying to learn how to do a cha-cha-cha properly, which I never achieved first time round!”
Judy Murray
Tennis coach and 2014 contestant
Judy, 58, admits her famous tennis star sons, Andy and Jamie, were shocked when they learned she was returning to the Strictly dance floor.
“They both went: ‘Oh no!’” Judy laughs. “When I did it last time, Jamie said: ‘Oh Mum, you’ll love that,’ and Andy said: ‘Oh my God, you’ll be awful!’ And actually they were both right, because I had a great time and I was awful!”
Her partner is professional Neil Jones and the couple will perform a Charleston.
“It’s a good one for me because you can wear flat shoes. I can’t walk in heels, never mind dance in them!” she says.
Judy Murray will return to the dancefloor with professional dancer Neil Jones
Jeremy Vine
Radio presenter and 2015 contestant
As Jeremy Vine takes to the dance floor with Karen Clifton, he’s worried his mum might take her support a little too far.
When the Radio 2 presenter competed in 2015, he took her along to watch. Caustic judge Craig Revel Horwood famously described Jeremy as dancing like “a stork struck by lightning” and when Jeremy’s mum met him after the show, she didn’t hold back.
“I had a great relationship with Craig, but obviously he was very rude to me on the TV,” Jeremy, 52, recalls.
“My mum doesn’t quite understand the theatre of it, so she berated him!”
Kimberley Walsh
Singer, actress and 2012 contestant
Christmas can’t come soon enough for Kimberley, 36.
“I put my decorations up in November and we have festive music on every morning – I love Christmas!” she beams.
She will be dressed as a reindeer for her jive to Run Run Rudolph with Pasha Kovalev.
"I thought I’d come back and just have a little waltz around the floor, but they said I’d be doing a jive,” Kimberley says.
"I’ve not danced for five years and I’ve had two kids! It’s made me get fit.”
Kimberley is hoping the dance will go down well with new Head Judge Shirley Ballas.
“She’s quite technical and does scare me slightly,” she says.
Kimberley Walsh will jive to Run Run Rudolph with Pasha Kovalev
Colin Jackson
Commentator, former athlete and 2005 finalist
After competing in the show 12 years ago, Colin was asked to present a show about dance, which followed the fortunes of 14 year-old hopeful Amy Dowden. Fast forward 12 years and Amy is one of the Strictly professional dancers and has been paired with Colin in the Christmas special.
“I interviewed her and all these years later I have her teaching me,” Colin says. “It’s a lot of fun.”
The duo will dance a rumba.
“Latin dances are really hard to win with, but Amy did the choreography and captured the mood of a lovely Christmas, so now I’m excited to do a rumba.”
Robbie Savage has teamed up with professional dancer Dianne Buswell
Robbie Savage
Football commentator and 2011 contestant
He played Premier League football for years, but Robbie Savage says nothing compares to the stress of taking to the Strictly dance floor.
"It’s a million times worse,” he says.
"You are so thankful for the professional dancers, because they do calm your nerves and get you through it.”
Holding his hand this time round is professional dancer Dianne Buswell, with the duo dancing an American smooth to Michael Bublé’s Baby Please Come Home.
Robbie, 43, will be watching the show at home with his family on Christmas Day. His sons are 14 and 11.
"Now they’re both in senior school I’m the embarrassing dad,” Robbie grins.
Strictly Come Dancing Final, tonight, 6.30pm, BBC1
Strictly Christmas Special, Christmas Day, 6.30pm, BBC1