BBC Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special 2024 line-up announced as history made

A new Strictly Come Dancing star is set to make history as they've been revealed in the show's Christmas special line-up. The festive edition of the BBC One dance contest is set to return this Christmas Day.

And while the main competition is still ungoing with eight couples heading into week nine of the competition this weekend, with the show being broadcast live from the iconic Tower Ballroom in its annual Blackpool special, the stars taking to the ballroom in Strictly's very own winter wonderland are being revealed.

With weeks to go until the big day itself, the hit BBC One dance show has confirmed comedian Tayce will be showing off her dance moves to the nation the Christmas Day

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The drag artist, model and presenter was a finalist on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 2. She is often dubbed the "Naomi Campbell of Drag" and she models across the world in runway fashion shows. She has presented on BBC Radio 1, MTV and Sky. Tayce performs her drag act globally and has also released her own rap single.

Tayce said of signing for Strictly's 2024 Christmas special: "I cannot wait to sleigh on the Strictly Ballroom floor. My partner and I are going to dance for our lives! In all seriousness, it’s an incredible honour to be the first Drag artist to be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing. I hope I do all of my Drag Race and Welsh fans proud! Sign me up for all the glitz, glam and discoballs."

In the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, produced by BBC Studios, each of the six couples will perform a festive fuelled routine in the hope of impressing the judges, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Head Judge Shirley Ballas, and the voting studio audience. But who will emerge the Christmas star of the evening, and lift the sought after Christmas trophy?

Also already confirmed for the special episode this year is comedian Josh Widdicombe. The 41-year-old is best known for Channel 4 comedy panel show The Last Leg, where he appears alongside Adam Hills and Alex Brooker, and has fronted his own semi-autobiographical BBC Three show, Josh, as well as hosting the Dave panel show Hypothetical.

It was announced on Strictly: It Takes Two on Monday (November 11) that he will be paired with professional dancer Karen Hauer, who competed with former footballer Paul Merson on this year’s main series until he became the fourth celebrity to be eliminated. Josh said: "I am utterly terrified this will end in humiliation and worried I’m going to be so bad I will ruin Christmas for the nation. Why have I done this?"